Singapore U-16s to face Tokyo Verdy, Johor Darul Takzim and BG Pathum in 2024 Lion City Cup
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Singapore's National Development Centre Under-15 team celebrating a goal against Selangor FC in the 2023 edition of the Lion City Cup.
ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
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SINGAPORE – Japan’s Tokyo Verdy will be one of the foreign teams in town for the Lion City Cup (LCC) in October, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) announced on Sept 6.
They will be joined by defending champions BG Pathum United of Thailand, Malaysia’s Johor Darul Takzim (JDT) and Singapore’s Under-16 team, who finished second in the 2023 edition.
In the Oct 4 semi-finals, Verdy and JDT, who are both playing in the tournament for the first time, will face each other at 5pm, before the Cubs take on Pathum, in a rematch of the 2023 final, at 8pm.
The final and third-place play-off will be held on Oct 6. All matches will be played at the Jalan Besar Stadium and ticket details will be announced soon.
Singapore U-16 coach Angel Toledano said the team will be using this competition as preparation for their Group J campaign of the Asian Football Confederation U-17 Asian Cup qualifiers later that month.
The Cubs are grouped with Oman, Tajikistan and Guam, with matches at the Bishan Stadium from Oct 23 to 27.
Toledano, whose side lost to Pathum on penalties in the 2023 final, said they are expecting “a great level of competition… beneficial for our players’ growth and development” at the LCC.
The Spaniard, 34, added: “I would love to see the boys lifting the trophy after getting so close in last year’s edition. The target for every game we play with the national jersey is to be competitive and try to win.
“I believe in the players and technical staff and I am sure we will put in good performances for the supporters to enjoy our games during the LCC.”
Meanwhile, Pathum coach Chatree Chimtalay believes experience gained from competitions like this will serve his side well moving forward.
The 40-year-old former Thai international said: “International match experience is crucial for our players’ development and testing our team to its limits…
“Competing against strong opponents in highly competitive matches will greatly benefit our experience and preparation, helping us identify our strengths and areas for improvement.”
Founded in 1977, the tournament is aimed at nurturing football talent, and has seen participation from national youth teams from regional countries and developmental squads from clubs in Asia and Europe.
Players who have taken part in the LCC include Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones.
Manchester United’s recently acquired fullback Noussair Mazraoui and Girona’s Donny van de Beek also played here.
They turned out for Ajax Amsterdam’s U-15 team, who won the 2012 edition.
