Jonan Tan, Ong Yu En relish chance to impress in maiden Lions call-up

SINGAPORE – In the last eight months, left-footed winger Jonan Tan has experienced the fierce intensity of European football after playing for the Under-23 teams of Portuguese clubs Estrela Amadora and Vizela, where he impressed with his creativity and skilful dribbling.

Despite having played just four games in Portugal, the 19-year-old has done enough to earn his maiden Lions call-up for the Asian Cup qualifying double-header against India. The games will be played at the National Stadium on Oct 9 and away on Oct 14.

Tan, who is currently on loan at second-tier Vizela from Singapore Premier League (SPL) champions Lion City Sailors, told The Straits Times: “In Portugal, it’s war on the pitch and not just like a fun thing. It inspires me to be more competitive and intense as well.

“I feel I have grown physically and mentally stronger. I’ve learnt to trust God, to be confident on the ball and to not be afraid to make mistakes.”

After completing his full-time national service in January, he scored a loan move to Estrela after a trial and played twice for the club’s U-23s in the second half of the season. He then moved to Vizela where he has played twice and notched an assist for their U-23s.

Despite losing 7kg in recent months, he has pulled his weight for his teams and caught the eye of interim Lions coach Gavin Lee – this despite the Young Lions’ failure to qualify for the AFC Under-23 Asian Cup.

Home in Portugal is a hotel that is a 10-minute drive from the training ground. The other Singaporeans at the club – Khairin Nadim and Nur Muhammad Asis – share a room and Tan lives with a Portuguese teammate.

He wakes up at 8.30am to have breakfast before their two-hour training session. After lunch, he rests and calls his family before he hits the gym, has dinner, does some exercise and goes to bed at 11pm.

He is more conversant in Portuguese now since taking two one-hour language classes a week and is exploring taking an online course in 2026.

But away from home comforts and distractions, his focus is on making an impact on the pitch.

He said: “My goal is to be a regular starter for my team and the next step would be to make my debut for the first team... and then project my career upwards and to play in the top flight in Europe.”

Another youngster who received his first national team call-up was Young Lions attacking midfielder Ong Yu En, who is also happy to put his studies on hold to pursue football full-time.

The Republic Polytechnic business graduate, who is on loan from BG Tampines Rovers, said: “This has always been the plan, and I’m thankful my dad has always been supportive.

“My ambition has always been to play overseas. We have plans to try out in Europe and if that doesn’t work out, then Thailand will be good too.”

Despite the Young Lions’ three-match losing start in the SPL season, Ong has impressed with his command of midfield and increased consistency after breaking onto the scene in 2020, when he won the league with Albirex Niigata as a winger.

Since then, he has made 58 league and cup appearances, recording two goals and 11 assists.

The 22-year-old said: “As I get older, I get more experience and understand the game better. There’s danger playing in central midfield because if you lose the ball, it’s right down the middle for the opponent to attack, so I have to be sharp with my touches, passes and decision-making.

“This is something I worked on a lot over the years and I’ve learnt even more from training with the senior national team players.”

Even in his caretaker role, Lee has the future of the Lions in mind by including the likes of Tan and Ong in his squad.

The 35-year-old said: “Jonan and Yu En’s inclusions are based on merit, and we want them to experience what it is like to be a national player and be surrounded by some good role models to help them in their development.”

Despite their relatively young age, the uncapped duo are aware of the questions over the future of the national team, as Singapore continues to underperform at the age-group levels.

Tan said: “I think people have a right to be sceptical and be unsure. But when I’m training with the national team and Under-23s, I see the passion that we have and I have full confidence we can have a bright future and make Singaporeans proud of our football again.”

Ong added: “There are up-and-coming players like Jonan and myself, and there is more investment and infrastructure for the next generation, so there’s a better platform for us to train and showcase ourselves, which will be good for the future of Singapore football.”