Newly appointed head coach Tsutomu Ogura is relishing the challenge of imparting his football philosophy to his new team in his first competitive game in charge.
Tsutomu Ogura speaking at a press conference last month after he was unveiled as the new head coach of Singapore's men's national football team. 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.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.
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. He also hopes that fans will change their perception towards the national team over time, and feel more positively than before.Already, the players are feeling the difference in the new head coach’s management and playing style.
He added that it may be tough adapting to this new style of play, especially as many of the players are coming back from the off-season, “but I think that’s exactly what we need to prepare us for the long season ahead”. Among the youngsters getting a first call-up is 19-year-old defender Fairuz Fazli, who is excited to work under the new coach.