Normal service resumes with Lions recall for Faris Ramli after injury-ridden year

SINGAPORE – After suffering a catalogue of injuries in 2025, forward Faris Ramli hopes his run of bad luck is finally over, as he aims to be fit and firing for both club and country.

The 33-year-old was first hit with a groin injury at the start of the year, after featuring in Singapore’s run to the Asean Championship semi-finals in December. He was sidelined for two months.

Not long after returning to action, Faris then hyper-extended his right knee and had to return to the treatment room.

Following his return, he then hurt his right hamstring while playing against Bangladesh in an Asian Cup qualifier in June.

That ruled him out for the international friendly against Malaysia (September) and the Lions’ Asian Cup qualifying double-header against India (October).

Now, he has not only been given a clean bill of health since October, but also received a recall on Nov 4 to the national squad for this month’s international window.

When asked about his call-up, he told The Straits Times: “It’s normal for me, to be honest, because that’s my aim... before that, the two windows were unlucky due to injuries.

“This year has been full of downs for me injury wise.

“So I’m trying to get back as fit as possible and as injury free as possible and that’s my goal.

“It’s a bit sad for me, but at the same time, it’s a motivation for me to come back even stronger... to be even more well-prepared for the season for BG Tampines Rovers and at the same time for the national team.”

National interim coach Gavin Lee said: “Faris has overcome quite a few challenges en route to his return to action, and that shows his desire to get back and contribute on the pitch.

“We will manage him and all players according to their condition, to allow them the best chance to succeed.”

For Tampines, Faris had missed the Asean Club Championship matches against Cebu and Selangor.

After returning to action in September, he played a combined 44 minutes in AFC Champions League Two (ACL 2), against Philippine side Kaya-Iloilo on Sept 18 and South Korea’s Pohang Steelers on Oct 23.

In a sign that normal service has resumed, he scored a goal in Tampines’ 2-1 win over Hougang United in a Singapore Premier League match on Oct 27.

His next goal is to help Tampines qualify for the ACL2’s round of 16.

With a perfect record after three games in Group H, the Stags will seal qualification to the knockout stage if they beat Pohang away on Nov 6.

Faris likened the Stags’ match against Pohang to Singapore’s upcoming Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong at the Kai Tak Stadium on Nov 18.

A win against Hong Kong will see Singapore qualify for the Asian Cup for the first time on merit. The Lions had also taken part in the 1984 edition when the Republic hosted the tournament.

Lee, who will prepare for the vital qualifier with a friendly against Thailand on Nov 13, said: “The Hong Kong game is quite self-explanatory.

“Enough has been said about it and everyone in and around the team is aware of the stage – and the opportunity that this match presents.

“Thailand will give us an excellent preparation match; they are a good side and they will push us to our limits – and that is what we need leading up to the Hong Kong match.”

Lee has also recalled Geylang International captain Joshua Pereira and Sailors’ right-back Akram Azman.

He said: “Joshua has been consistent for quite a while now, he has also demonstrated a persistence and an ability to rally others around him regardless of the situation. Those attributes are important for us.

“Akram, with more minutes, has performed more like the Akram from last season, and with that, he will contribute to the team.”