SINGAPORE - The Merlion Cup will be revived in the form of a mini South-east Asia Games football tournament as the under-22Â national teams from Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines join hosts Singapore in a friendly quadrangular next month.
The June 7-9 competition will be held at the Jalan Besar Stadium and will serve as preparations for the four teams ahead of this year's SEA Games in the Philippines. The biennial Games is from Nov 30-Dec 11.
At the press conference on Wednesday (May 15), Young Lions coach Fandi Ahmad said: "Football needs to be revitalised in Singapore and the Merlion Cup will be a good opportunity to expose the young players to international football.
"All teams are equal and we won't fear any opponents. Hopefully, with good preparation and home support, we will play some good football like we did in the AFC U-23 qualifiers."
Football Association of Singapore (FAS) president Lim Kia Tong said the tournament will be an annual affair, although it could toggle between a senior and age-group competition depending on their needs.
For this year's edition, Singapore will face the Philippines while the Thais take on the Indonesians in the other semi-final on June 7.
The third-placed play-off and final will be two days later.
Young Lions defender Lionel Tan said: "We are very excited and raring to go and do Singapore proud by putting up good performances. We will focus on our own strengths and abilities and play to our coaches' instructions."
The Merlion Cup had been held annually in Singapore from 1982 to 1986, and once in 1992, and was widely considered the Republic's premier invitational football tournament.
It featured countries such as the Netherlands, Australia, Iraq, China, South Korea and international club sides like Inter Milan and Lokomotiv Moscow.
It was last held in 2009 at the old National Stadium, when Singapore were beaten 5-0 by English giants Liverpool.
In 2015, there were talks of reviving the tournament after international sports media rights agency MP & Silva's $25-million deal with the FAS was announced in February that year.
The J-League's Yokohama Marinos, Chinese Super League's Shanghai Shenhua and Myanmar national team touted as likely participants but cost issues saw MP & Silva pull out of negotiations with the Singapore Sports Hub in December 2015 over the staging of the Merlion Cup in 2016.
Barcelona on the verge of La Liga title after beating Alaves
FIFA moved a step closer on Friday to expanding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar to 48 teams and hopes to confirm the plans in June if a suitable co-host can be found. An internal feasibility study
FIFA backs 48-team World Cup in 2022 - World Soccer Talk
Chelsea face the partial closure of Stamford Bridge in the Europa League after Uefa opened disciplinary proceedings over allegations that their travelling supporters engaged in racist chanting during the draw at Vidi last month.
Chelsea face partial stadium closure over alleged racist
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 28, 2019, with the headline ''Serene' Quagliarella becomes Italy's oldest scorer at 36'. Print Edition | Subscribe
'Serene' Quagliarella becomes Italy's oldest scorer at 36
Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri was equally keen for Willian to remain a member of his squad, especially as he is deploying Eden Hazard as a striker. "You know very well that Willian for us is a very important player," Sarri told reporters. "In my opinion, Willian has to stay with us. "With Eden playing as a striker we need wingers.
Two goals from Marko Arnautovic and Ryan Fredericks's first Premier League strike helped West Ham beat Southampton 3-0 at the London Stadium. Home football; Arnautovic ends drought as West
Arnautovic ends drought as West Ham sink Southampton
"We are all tired after an amazing, crazy and unbelievable night," Pochettino told a news conference Spurs 'still in a dream' after Man City win, says Pochettino Home
Tottenham beat Man City in Champions League: 'We are still in
Paris Saint-Germain's Brazilian captain Thiago Silva has been granted French citizenship, he announced on Twitter on Friday. Thiago SIlva and wife The 34-year-old's decision means PSG have an extra space in their squad for a non-EU player.
PSG captain Thiago Silva receives French citizenship - Nija
Klopp hails 'best night' of his life after ending final hex Madrid, Spain: Jurgen Klopp revelled in the biggest night of his managerial career on Saturday after winning Liverpool's sixth Champions League title, ending a run of six straight losses in finals.
Klopp hails 'best night' of his life after ending final hex
Pep Guardiola said his Manchester City team will be poised to pounce if Man City ready to pounce on any Liverpool slip-ups, says Guardiola. 2019-01-15 07:11 Jesus took a stuttering run-up
Jan 06, 2019 · The magic of the FA Cup is alive and well in this corner of south Wales. Newport County, 74 places below Leicester City on the league ladder, served up a giantkilling that will be talked about for
6 Things We Learned From a Pulsating Fourth Round in the FA
No comments:
Post a Comment