Facing World Cup teams should not affect our mentality: Lions coach Gavin Lee on Asian Cup draw

SINGAPORE – Stern tests await Singapore at the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, with the Lions drawn with World Cup-bound Australia and Iraq, and Tajikistan in Group D.

But Singapore coach Gavin Lee insisted that the calibre of their opponents will not dictate his team’s preparation for the Jan 7-Feb 5 continental showpiece.

The top two teams from each of the six groups and the four best third-place sides will qualify for the knockout stage.

Speaking to The Straits Times shortly after attending the draw at the Salwa Palace in Riyadh on May 9, Lee said meeting two teams who will be at the upcoming World Cup painted the “context” of the challenge ahead. 

The 35-year-old added: “Facing two World Cup-level opponents definitely sets the context, but that shouldn’t determine our mentality or how we approach this competition. Ultimately, we want to live up to the shirt.

“We want to play football in a way where people back home will be proud of us, and ultimately, after the competition, we just want to leave the shirt in a better place.

“When we enter such a competition against opposition like that, it’s important not to be consumed by the occasion, the hype or the outside noise. We must control what we can control. We always want to be calm and consistent in our thinking and actions, and this competition will be no different.”

Singapore will kick off their campaign on Jan 9 against Australia at the Aramco Stadium in Khobar, then face Tajikistan on Jan 14 at the Imam Mohammed Ibn Saud University Stadium in Riyadh before a final group game against Iraq on Jan 19 back at the Aramco venue.

Lee, who was appointed as permanent Lions coach last November, added that the aim will be to arrive in Saudi Arabia as “the best version of ourselves”.

“The moment we found out our opponents, I think things became more real, and it’s quite exciting, because now you can be more purposeful with your prep and your plans,” said Lee.

“With the clarity of the group, it gives us a direction and more purpose for preparation and our homework, because we want to arrive here in Riyadh next year as the best version of ourselves.”

Hariss Harun, who is expected to be the Lions captain in Saudi Arabia, echoed his coach’s sentiment.

The 35-year-old said: “Playing at the Asian Cup is a special opportunity for every player, and we know it is something Singapore football has worked hard towards.

“As a group, our focus will be on staying united, preparing well, and making sure we represent the badge, the country, and our supporters in the best possible way.”

World No. 27 Australia and 57th-ranked Iraq are former Asian Cup champions, having triumphed in the 2015 and 2007 editions respectively.

The Socceroos have qualified for six consecutive editions of the World Cup since 2006, while Iraq ended a 40-year absence in March when they earned their ticket to the global showpiece.

Australia coach Tony Popovic told the Football Australia website that they will approach the Asian Cup with “great ambition and respect”, adding: “Singapore, Tajikistan and Iraq are all strong opponents that we know and respect, and we look forward to the challenge ahead.”

The Republic’s other group-stage opponents, Tajikistan (103rd), are no newcomers to this stage, having reached the quarter-finals of the last Asian Cup in 2024.

Former Balestier Khalsa coach and football commentator Khidhir Khamis assessed that taking a point would be a respectable finish for a team whose only other Asian Cup appearance came as hosts 42 years ago.

Khidhir said: “I think any draw is considered tough for us. It is going to take a lot of preparation, a proper game plan and a little bit of luck for us to even get something out of this group.

“We should not have any unrealistic expectations, and I think all of us have to manage that as fans and as people who are part of the game in Singapore.

“We have to make sure that we are competitive, even against Australia and avoid being overrun easily. I think that would be a realistic goal and getting a point from any of the three teams would be good for us.”

Meanwhile, hosts Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman and Palestine are in Group A; Uzbekistan, North Korea, Bahrain and Jordan are in Group B, while Group C consists of Iran, China, Syria and Kyrgyzstan.

Group E comprises South Korea, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and Lebanon or Yemen, while four-time winners Japan, defending champions Qatar, Thailand and Indonesia make up Group F.

The 24-team tournament will take place in Riyadh, Jeddah and Khobar.

Among the 23 countries who have confirmed their place, world No. 147 Singapore are the lowest ranked.

The final berth will be decided by a tie between Lebanon (108th) and Yemen (149th) on June 4.

The Lions secured historic qualification to the Asian Cup with a 2-1 win over Hong Kong in November 2025. They also ended their qualification campaign unbeaten with four wins and two draws after home and away matches against Hong Kong, India and Bangladesh.

When they hosted the 1984 edition, which was a 10-team tournament, they did not advance to the semi-finals after beating India 2-0, losing 2-0 to China and 1-0 to the UAE, and drawing 1-1 with Iran.

In the lead-up to the Asian Cup, the Lions will have a busy 2026.

They will play friendlies with Mongolia (187th) and China (94th) at the Jalan Besar Stadium on May 31 and June 5 respectively. Following that, they will do battle in the July 24-Aug 26 Asean Championship.

The Lions have been drawn into Group A, where they will take on Cambodia (away, July 24), Brunei or Timor-Leste (home, July 27), Vietnam (away, July 31) and Indonesia (home, Aug 7).

Singapore are then set to feature in the inaugural Fifa Asean Cup during the Sept 21-Oct 6 window before their final Asian Cup preparations in November and December.