Still only 20, Singapore defender Raoul Suhaimi has been a recognisable presence on the local scene since his 2021 Singapore Premier League (SPL) debut.
Pressure-packed debuts may have also become familiar territory for the youngster.
Raoul made his senior bow for Young Lions in a 2-1 defeat by Albirex Niigata (S), becoming the youngest debutant in SPL history at the time at 15 years and 239 days old, a record later surpassed by Nathan Mao in 2023. Earlier this year, he marked another milestone by making his BG Tampines Rovers debut in the Singapore Cup final against Lion City Sailors in front of 3,767 spectators.
Starting a game of that magnitude is no small ask, but the fullback rose to the occasion, tasked with containing a rampant Bart Ramselaar down the flank.
Though the Stags eventually fell 2-0 in extra time, with the tie later forfeited in favour of the Sailors due to an administrative error, the defender amply repaid his coach’s faith with an assured defensive display across just over an hour.
“For the first game, there’s definitely a little bit of pressure, but in a good way… It was a good experience for me to play at a different intensity.”
“Getting the opportunity to play (in the final), it’s a huge honour, I didn’t expect to be starting, but I got the chance, and I think I got the trust from the coaches, so it was really a blessing… It’s normal to feel a little bit of pressure sometimes. But, to me, I will just enjoy the game and do my best for the team.”
Another debut milestone beckons for the talented upstart, who is the second-youngest in the 27-man squad named by head coach Gavin Lee for the March window, behind late addition Mao.
Since his maiden call-up in June 2024 during the Lions’ World Cup qualifying campaign, he has earned a handful of recalls but has yet to make his first appearance in national colours.
Raoul can certainly fancy his chances when the Lions take on Bangladesh in their final Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup qualifier, having recently cut his teeth against some of the region’s best during Tampines’ continental campaigns.
“It’s a totally different environment, a different level and intensity. Getting the chance to play against teams like Buriram was a great experience for me, especially at a young age. Playing alongside more senior, experienced players, including foreigners like Yuki (Kobayashi) and Koya (Kazama) is a good experience, and I really enjoyed it,” he said, having played twice in the AFC Champions League Two (against Bangkok United and Cong An Ha Noi) and once in the ASEAN Club Championship (against Buriram United).
“Mentally, I have to be very strong. Playing against (these teams), you need to think two or three steps ahead and much quicker. The physicality is also on a completely different level compared to what I’m used to in Singapore.”
He will have plenty of inspiration to draw from and lessons to learn while training alongside the national team’s senior players.
“I’ve been watching these players play since I was young, and to be able to train with them is an honour,” he said.
Skipper Hariss Harun has also noticed Raoul’s progression since bursting onto the scene as a precocious teen.
“It’s important for young players to have a taste of (regional opponents) early in their career, and he’s playing with quality players in Tampines… He’s fearless in a good way, and that’s what I like about him… It bodes well, and it’s really all up to the player how much he will be involved in the national team in the coming years.”
And nailing a spot on the backline is certainly on Raoul’s to-do list.
“(The senior players) set a very high standard in training… it really boosts my morale, and whether or not I am playing in games, I still stay motivated to push myself hard in training,” he said.
With a bright future ahead of him, Raoul has also set himself another goal – to ply his trade in overseas leagues.
“I would love to play overseas. I don’t have any preference on the location, but I think playing overseas would be a good achievement for me. And I would love to be a regular for the national team.”
