Few players embody versatility quite like Geylang International captain Joshua Pereira. Now deployed mostly as a centre back or right back, Pereira has played almost everywhere on the pitch, from striker and left winger in his youth days to central midfield and defensive midfield as recently as 2024.
But when the 28-year-old earned a surprise recall to the Singapore national team last November after an 18-month absence, it was not just his versatility that caught the eye of head coach Gavin Lee.
Watching from the stands as the defender played every minute of the Eagles’ opening five games in the Singapore Premier League, Lee was struck by Pereira’s leadership qualities in defence, a trait that ultimately earned him a return to the national fold for what turned out to be a historic match for the Lions.
Speaking about that famed night at Kai Tak Stadium, Pereira admitted that being on the plane to Hong Kong for the decisive clash had not been on his radar.
“I watched the team play throughout the qualifying campaign, and I was at the National Stadium for most of the home games,” he said.
“Coach Gavin rang me up on the day of the squad announcement (for the November window). I was quite shocked… He asked me to be a part of the squad and to get ready to give my all for the team. And that, whether I played or not, commitment was key.”
“He mentioned that he had been watching my games with Geylang and felt I could bring my leadership qualities to the squad, and be ready to help the team in and out of training. Team morale was super important in that camp,” he added.
And that morale soared to its peak after the Lions mustered a 2-1 comeback win in front of a hostile 47,762-strong home crowd, with a small pocket of 2,000-odd travelling Singapore supporters that Pereira was glad to share that joy with.
“To see the fans travel all the way to Hong Kong – some of them crying – I know it means a lot to them and it was a moment of immense pride.”
Yet, the proudest chapter of Pereira’s footballing career remains his national team debut in a 2022 friendly against Vietnam.
Just like his recent recall, Pereira revealed that his first appearance in national colours came unexpectedly.
“Not many people know this, but I wasn’t supposed to play my first game. Shahdan (Sulaiman) was down with Covid-19 back then, and coach (Takayuki) Nishigaya told me I would be starting just before the game.”
“In a team sport, you always have to be prepared mentally… Even though we lost, I think I didn’t have too bad a game against Vietnam.”
At the time, Pereira had just completed his National Service, returning to Geylang in April after a two-year break from football.
After earning his first two international caps in September and a place in the ASEAN Championship squad in December, Pereira was even handed the captain’s armband in a 1-0 away win against Macau in March 2023, as his international career appeared firmly on the rise.
Yet the call-ups soon slowed to a trickle.
After a solitary recall in May 2024 by then-head coach Tsutomu Ogura, Pereira had to wait until Lee drafted him back into the squad for the crucial November window.
“Sometimes things don’t go your way, things don’t work out. But obviously, as professionals, we know it’s a cut-throat sport. The best make it, and you want to be there among the best.
“So you just keep working hard, playing to the best of your abilities and knocking on the door whenever you get the opportunity. One day it will come.”
Although national team appearances have been sparse, Pereira has anchored Geylang’s backline and led the team as captain for three seasons.
“Back then, it was quite shocking to get my first call-up. Obviously, everyone is grateful for the opportunity to represent their nation. But now, having been there, I’m hungrier for more. I want to make my friends, my family, my coaches, and past coaches proud,” he said.
A true team player, Pereira is willing to “play anywhere for the team.”
“Of course, there is still work to be done, still games to play to prove myself worthy of being in the national team. I want to go there not just for the sake of it, but to contribute as well… to help the team in any way possible,” he added, when asked about the prospect of playing at next year’s Asian Cup.
With the Lions set to play their final qualifying game against Bangladesh at the National Stadium on March 31, Pereira hopes fans can turn the venue into a “sea of red” to celebrate the team’s historic qualification for the continental showpiece.
Looking ahead to the ASEAN Championship in July, Pereira is also optimistic the team can put up a strong showing and “show Southeast Asia what Team Singapore can do.”
“The team needs to be as one. One mind, one body, one spirit… We all have the same mindset of wanting to win and wanting to do the fans proud and bring pride back into Singapore football.”
