Contributed by Visakan Subramaniam

Singapore, November 2, 2009 – The Singapore Under-23 football team is set to compete in the Vietnam Football Federation Cup which will begin on 5 November at Hanoi, Vietnam.

Singapore, coached by ex-international defender, Terry Pathmanathan, is grouped with the Under-23 teams from Vietnam, Thailand and China.

Singapore's first match is against hosts Vietnam on 5 November at the My Dinh National Stadium. Kick off is at 8.00pm, local time.

The winner of the round robin tournament will walk away with US$25,000 while the first and second runner up will each win US$10,000 and US$5,000.

Home United's midfield quartet of Isa Halim, Shahdan Sulaiman, Firdous Idros and Haikal Norasikin have been called by Coach Pathmanathan.

"It is good that players like Isa (Halim) are able to join the team. He has not played much for his club this season and a tournament like this will help him improve on his match fitness as we get ready for the upcoming SEA (South East Asian) Games," said Pathmanathan.

"Tournaments like these are good as the players get to play against teams like Thailand and Vietnam who play with a different style,

"The boys will be able to gain invaluable experience and it is a good platform for them to show us their potential as they fight for a spot in the SEA Games team," added Pathmanathan.

One of the players who will try to catch the coach's eye is midfielder Shahfiq Ghani. The 17-year old was part of the Olympic team that took part in the recently concluded Vietnam Youth Newspaper Cup.

His two goals and a Man-of-the-Match performance helped Singapore reach the semi final of the tournament in Southern Vietnam and he will be looking to break into the SEA Games squad.


INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT – VFF CUP 2009
HANOI, VIETNAM (3 TO 10 NOVEMBER 2009)

Schedule

Vietnam vs Singapore
5 November 2009
8.00pm*

Singapore vs Thailand
7 November 2009
5.50pm*

Singapore vs China
9 November 2009
5.50pm*

*Singapore is one hour ahead of Hanoi

Singapore Under-23 Squad

Full Name DOB Position Club
Hyrulnizam Juma’at, 14-Nov-1986, GK, Young Lions
Jasper Chan, 7-Nov-1988, GK, Young Lions
Eddie Affendy Chang, 10-May-1990, DF, Young Lions
Afiq Yunos, 10-Dec-1990, DF, Young Lions
Irwan Shah, 2-Nov-1988, DF, Young Lions
Shahir Hamzah, 7-Apr-1989, DF, Young Lions
Isa Halim, 15-May-1986, MF, Home United
Firdaus Idros, 12-Aug-1986, MF, Home United
Haikal Norasikin, 27-Aug-1990, MF, Home United
Shahdan Sulaiman, 9-May-1988, MF, Home United
Faritz Abdul Hameed, 16-Jan-1990, MF, Young Lions
Hafiz Abu Sujad, 1-Nov-1990, MF, Young Lions
Izzdin Shafiq, 14-Dec-1990, MF, Young Lions
Gabriel Quak, 22-Dec-1990, MF, Young Lions
Shahfiq Ghani, 17-Mar-1992, MF, NFA U17
Muhammad Khalili D’cruz, 14-Aug-1991, FW, NFA U18
Goh Swee Swee, 1-Jun-1986, FW, Young Lions
Fadhil Noh, 4-Mar-1989, FW, Young Lions
Fairoz Hasan, 26-Nov-1988, FW, Young Lions
Fazli Ayob, 24-Jan-1990, Young Lions