SINGAPORE - The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) on Tuesday announced that it will field a team for the Oct 8-16 Asean Football Federation (AFF) Futsal Championship.

It is the first time in 14 years that Singapore will be taking part in the competition, which will be held in Bangkok this year.

The 15-man squad will be coached by Pattaya Piemkum, a former Thai national futsal player. As coach, he led his country to the SEA Games futsal title in 2007, 2011, and 2013.

Singapore are grouped with Thailand, Timor Leste, Brunei and Malaysia. Their opener against Timor Leste takes place on Oct 8.

Pattaya said: "Our players are determined to do their best... With my experience and knowledge, I certainly hope to take Singapore futsal to the next level, especially, in terms of participation at worldwide competitions."

Said Benjamin Tan, FAS deputy director of development and planning: "Among other benefits, futsal helps to enhance the players' skills in tight areas as well as their decision-making abilities and it is an important element in our long-term strategy aimed at enhancing the standards of Singapore football.

"Going forward, we will continue to promote futsal at all levels. The team will gain invaluable exposure from this competition and we believe their participation at the AFF Futsal Championship will inspire more youths to pick up the sport."

The Singapore squad: Hazwan Halimi, Faizal Sa'don, Juraimi Salim, Mahmod Hashim, Nurul Islam Abdul Razak, Saifuldin Ramli, Amir Zalani, Helmi Mohamad, Farhan Farouk, Jufri Abu Hassan, Sim Yi Long, Oswind Suriya, Al Nazirul Islam Abdul Razak, Herwan Nulhaqiem Mas'at, Iszahar Hamid.