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

It has been approximately 14 years and 10 matches since Singapore last triumphed over Thailand. Head coach Gavin Lee emphasized on Friday that his team is not fixated on past statistics but rather concentrating on their upcoming ASEAN football championship semi-final first-leg match. Lee clarified that while these figures provide context, they should not dominate the team's mindset.

"If we allow the numbers to own us, then shame on us. It only informs us of the kind of challenge we can expect," Lee stated. The first leg of the semi-final will be played on Saturday at Jalan Besar Stadium, with the second leg scheduled for Aug 18 at Bangkok's Rajamangala Stadium. Lee expressed excitement about competing in front of a full stadium and hopes the performance will secure a favorable position for the return match.

Lee also reflected on Singapore's last victory against Thailand in 2012, where they won 3-1 in the first leg and went on to win the tournament despite losing the second leg 0-1. Thailand head coach Anthony Hudson cautioned against complacency, acknowledging Singapore's recent improvements under coach Gavin Lee. Both teams are displaying impressive form, with Thailand finishing top of Group B and Singapore finishing second in Group A. Tickets for the match have been in high demand, leading to scalping concerns, but Lee acknowledged the team's growing fan support and the importance of harnessing that energy on the field.