Four-time champions Singapore have been handed a challenging draw at the July 24-Aug 26 Asean Hyundai Cup, where they have been placed in Group A and will face defending champions Vietnam, six-time finalists Indonesia, Cambodia, and the winner of the qualifying play-off between Timor-Leste and Brunei Darussalam.
Singapore’s newly-appointed head coach Gavin Lee, who was present at the draw ceremony, said the Lions were mentally prepared for a tough group.
“There’s going to be some exciting games. It’s not going to be easy, but that’s something we already expected before the draw, that there won’t be any easy group. To be honest, we relish the challenge,” he said.
The draw was concluded in Jakarta on Thursday (Jan 15) and marks a significant test for the Lions at Southeast Asia’s premier international football tournament, which enters its 16th edition and celebrates its 30th anniversary this year.
The group stage will be played in a single round-robin, home-or-away format, and there will be little margin for error for Singapore, as only the top two teams will progress to the semi-finals.
Vietnam, who lifted their third ASEAN title in 2024 after edging Thailand 5–3 on aggregate in the final and knocking Singapore out at the semi-final stage, are the favourites to progress, while Indonesia are expected to be the Lions’ key rivals in the battle to reach the last four.
Lee added that the demanding draw was a welcome test as Singapore builds towards their Asian Cup campaign.
“As part of our preparation for the Asian Cup, we want to be pushed, to be tested, to be put in uncomfortable positions, and we’ve got that with this draw,” Lee added.
Meanwhile, Group B features record seven-time champions Thailand (1996, 2000, 2002, 2014, 2016, 2020 and 2022), alongside the Philippines, Myanmar, Malaysia and Laos.
The semifinals are scheduled for Aug 15-16 (first legs) and Aug 18-19 (second legs), while the two-legged final will be played on Aug 22 and 26.
