Winless run against Thailand will not ‘own’ Lions, says Gavin Lee ahead of ASEAN Championship semis

It has been 14 years and 10 games since Singapore's national football team, the Lions, defeated Thailand, a regional powerhouse. Head coach Gavin Lee addressed this losing streak during a pre-match press conference ahead of the ASEAN Championship semi-final first-leg match. Lee emphasized that the statistics do not define his team, stating, "All these numbers, it just gives you the context.

It just informs you, but it doesn't own us." He urged his team not to let the past hurt their performance, focusing instead on the upcoming match, which will take place at Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday at 9pm.

Lee expressed excitement about playing in front of a full stadium and hoped that a strong performance would help Singapore advance. The Lions last triumphed over Thailand in 2012, winning 3-1 in the first leg of the tournament final, with Singapore eventually winning the championship despite losing the second leg. Thailand head coach Anthony Hudson spoke highly of Singapore's progress, praising the team's improvement and the head coach's performance.

He also noted that Thailand's young, talented lineup, backed by experienced defenders, will present a challenging match for Singapore. The Thais have won all four group games and have yet to concede a goal, thanks to their excellent play and training. Despite staying unbeaten in their group matches, Singapore's journey to the semi-final was not without difficulties, finishing second in Group A behind defending champions Vietnam. Lee acknowledged the team's growth while emphasizing the crucial role of the passionate fans.