Fresh from a convincing 4-0 victory over Mongolia, Singapore will face a significantly sterner examination when they take on China PR at Jalan Besar Stadium on Friday evening.

The friendly marks the Lions’ second and final fixture of the June international window and provides another valuable opportunity for Head Coach Gavin Lee to test his squad against higher-ranked opposition as preparations continue for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 and next year’s ASEAN Championship Hyundai Cup.

While Singapore enter the match buoyed by a dominant display against Mongolia, Lee expects a completely different challenge against a Chinese side that sits inside FIFA’s top 100 rankings.

“We have done a little bit of homework on the new coach and China played very well in their last two matches during the FIFA window against two different opponents,” said Lee. “We are very excited because this is the kind of opposition we want to be up against — one that pushes us to our limit.”

The Singapore coach believes matches against teams of China’s calibre are exactly what his players need ahead of their return to the Asian Cup stage.“We are playing against a team ranked inside the top 100 and these are the kinds of games we want,” he explained. “Teams in that bracket will push us to our limits. They will make things uncomfortable for us and that is what we need. At the Asian Cup every game is going to be like that.”

Thursday’s fixture inevitably brings back memories of Singapore’s memorable 2-2 draw against China during the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in March last year, but Lee was quick to point out that circumstances have changed considerably since then.

“The China games are very memorable because we put in a very good performance,” he said. “But the context is different now. Previously it was a competitive game. This time it is a friendly. There are different coaches and different players.”

“Tomorrow, like every game, it is really about the performance we put out there. We want to see our identity on the pitch and we allow the result to take care of itself.”

Rather than focusing on the outcome, Lee wants to see how his players respond when faced with difficult moments against stronger opposition.

“Tomorrow we expect China to push us to our limits for 90 minutes,” he said. “The challenge is whether we can maintain our calmness and whether we can react to the big moments throughout the game.”

“Regardless of what happens, can we stay calm and go again? Can we be neutral and go again? That will be one of the main objectives tomorrow.”

Forward Ilhan Fandi shares his coach’s excitement about the challenge ahead. Having joined the squad only recently following the conclusion of his club commitments in Thailand, the 22-year-old has been encouraged by what he has seen from the group.

“I only joined two days ago, but from what I’ve seen in training everyone is really excited and the commitment has been 100 per cent,” said Ilhan. “We know this is a team that regularly qualifies for the Asian Cup, so it will be a good test for us. Even for me, I’m very excited to play against a strong opponent. We respect them, but we still have to do our job.”

Ilhan arrives in camp after helping BG Pathum United lift the Thai FA Cup and hopes to carry that momentum into the international arena. “Of course I would have liked to play a bit more, but to be part of such a team has been a pleasure,” he said. “I hope I can take the confidence from my club season and bring it into the national team.”

“In the past few international windows I’ve done alright, but I know I can be better. Hopefully against China I can show a bit more.”

As Singapore continue their build-up towards the Asian Cup, Lee stressed that every fixture serves a wider purpose within the team’s long-term development. “We’re not just preparing for the ASEAN Championship,” he said. “The ASEAN Championship is our North Star. Everything aligns towards that, but we take one thing at a time.”

For now, however, all attention remains fixed on the challenge immediately ahead. “Right now, what’s most immediate in front of us is China.”

Singapore plays China on 5th June 2026 at Jalan Besar Stadium. Tickets available from Ticketek