'DIFFERENT APPROACH' WITH NO INT'L TIES

Ogura's Lions to play friendlies against JDT, Tampines in September window

- Deepanraj Ganesan

The lack of suitable opposition, coupled with the need to spend more time on the training ground, means that the Lions will not play any international matches during the upcoming window in September.

Instead, they will face Singapore Premier League side BG Tampines Rovers and Malaysia Super League champions Johor Darul Takzim on Sept 6 and Sept 7 respectively, before flying to Japan for three friendlies against J1 League sides from Oct 5 to 13.

After that, the Lions will host Myanmar and Chinese Taipei on Nov 15 and 19 respectively at the National Stadium in preparation for the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Championship.

New dates for the biennial competition, also known as the Mitsubishi Electric Cup, were announced on Aug 27. It will now take place from Dec 8 to Jan 5 instead of Nov 23 to Dec 21.

Singapore are in Group A, along with defending champions Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and the winners of a play-off between Brunei and Timor-Leste.

At a media briefing at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Aug 28, Lions coach Tsutomu Ogura outlined his tournament preparation plans, adding that the matches against Tampines and JDT will be held behind closed doors at the Kallang Football Hub.