Singapore Lions aim to halt losing streak in FIFA World Cup qualifiers when they face China

SINGAPORE: Intensity is the buzzword in the Singapore national football team, as the Lions prepare to host China in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium on Thursday (Mar 21).

Newly appointed head coach Tsutomu Ogura believes the key to beating the Chinese, who are ranked 88th in the world according to FIFA’s rankings, is to work harder than them.

Ogura, a former assistant coach of the Japanese national football team, is relishing the challenge of imparting his football philosophy.

He took over the reins last month, and the match against China will be his first competitive game in charge of the Lions, who are currently ranked 156th in the world.

The last time Singapore beat China in a competitive match was at the 1983 Merlion Cup, with the Lions winning 1-0 in the semi-final, according to the Football Association of Singapore (FAS). 

Focusing on physical fitness, Ogura wants his team to play with a high intensity, running harder and farther than their opponents throughout the match.

“The goal is winning. Everybody wants to win. Not just the players, the supporters (and) the coaching staff. Everyone wants to win. It's a goal. The only target is winning,” he told CNA in an exclusive interview during the team’s training camp ahead of Thursday’s showdown.

Ogura's debut match comes at a challenging period.

The team’s players are currently in their pre-season phase, which could signal a shortage of competitive match fitness.

Beyond being just a competitive match, the fixture against China is a chance for the Lions to reconnect with fans who have had to endure some disappointing results in recent times.

Singapore lost their first two matches in their qualifying group last November, with a 3-1 loss to Thailand and a