‘We need to be exposed’: Gavin Lee's Lions welcome Brazil, Paraguay challenge

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Brazil are sixth in FIFA's world rankings, while Paraguay sit 33rd, underlining the scale of the task facing the Lions, who are ranked 149th.

Brazil are sixth in FIFA's world rankings, while Paraguay sit 33rd, underlining the scale of the task facing the Lions, who are ranked 149th.

SINGAPORE: Still reeling from a 6-0 rout by Causeway rivals Malaysia last month, Singapore's national football team have little time to dwell on the loss, with clashes against Paraguay and five-time World Cup winners Brazil looming.

For Lions head coach Gavin Lee, however, the opportunity to face elite opposition is exactly what Singapore needs.

While acknowledging the huge gulf in quality between his side and their upcoming opponents, Lee said on Thursday (Nov 11) that exposure to elite teams was essential if Singapore was to get better and become a more competitive outfit ahead of the 2027 Asian Cup.

Brazil are sixth in FIFA's world rankings, while Paraguay sit 33rd, underlining the scale of the task facing the Lions, who are ranked 149th.

“We need to be overloaded because we need to know the areas that we need to improve in. We want to be able to show that there will be periods where we can compete, there will be periods where we are willing to suffer.”

Singapore will open their Mizuho Blue Challenge campaign against Paraguay on Friday before taking on Brazil next Tuesday in the four-team event, which also features Japan.

Ahead of the matches, captain Hariss Harun admitted the defeat by Malaysia remains fresh in the minds of the players, but the team has used the loss as a reference point.

“There's no hiding from that result. I think it's always in the back of our heads,” said the midfielder.

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