Singapore in 2034 World Cup. Can make it or not?

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Blow for Lions with football head coach Tsutomu Ogura set to leave​

Tsutomu Ogura led the Lions to the 2024 Asean Championship semi-finals, only the second time since their 2012 title win that they had reached the last four.ST PHOTO: MARK CHEONG

Deepanraj Ganesan
Jun 24, 2025

SINGAPORE – The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) is on the hunt for its fourth national head coach in six years with Tsutomu Ogura set to resign from the top job.

The Straits Times understands that Ogura, who was appointed in February 2024 on a two-year contract, is leaving due to personal reasons and has informed the FAS of his decision.

Ogura was also the director for the men’s Under-22 team.


The 58-year-old former Japan national assistant coach was the third consecutive Japanese tactician for the Lions. The others were Takayuki Nishigaya, who was appointed in 2022 and fired in January 2024, and Tatsuma Yoshida, who was appointed in 2019 and quit two years later.

Ogura leaves after having led the Lions to two consecutive wins, a 3-1 victory over the Maldives in an international friendly at home on June 5 and a 2-1 away victory over Bangladesh in an Asian Cup qualifier five days later.

The latter result placed Singapore top of Group C on goals scored, ahead of Hong Kong (four points), Bangladesh and India, who have a point apiece. Only the group winners will advance to the Asian Cup in 2027.

Singapore, who next face India in back-to-back matches in October, have never qualified for the Asian Cup on merit, with their only appearance coming as hosts in 1984.

In 16 matches in charge of the Lions, Ogura’s record stands at five wins, three draws and eight losses. His tenure started off with a pulsating comeback 2-2 draw with China in a World Cup qualifier in March 2024.

Later that year, he also led the Lions to the Asean Championship semi-finals. It was just the second time since their 2012 title win that the Lions had booked a berth in the last four.


But there were low points too, like the 7-0 drubbing on home soil at the hands of South Korea in a World Cup qualifier last June. Some fans have also questioned his in-game management as the Lions have often collapsed late in matches.

ST understands that the FAS has already started its search for the next permanent coach in time for the crucial games in October. An interim coach will be put in place for the next international window from Sept 1-9.

 

[SBFTirak]

So you actually believe the fairy tales?

 

[Narong Wongwan]

According to Mabok Tan
Team Sg would have been a regular World Cup contender since2010
So sg already been to 4 world cups

 

[laksaboy]

According to Mabok Tan
Team Sg would have been a regular World Cup contender since2010
So sg already been to 4 world cups

Football cannot thrive in a totalitarian regime. Because the politicians will meddle and poke their nose into footballing matters. The sporting glory is tethered to the regime's glory. Refer to how Sinkieland shameless hyped up certain sports people from swimming, table tennis and badminton over the years, presented them as the 'mascots' of sports in the country.

That's why China's football is mostly a laughing stock, and not catching up with Japan or South Korea anytime soon. You cannot achieve that like you would throw your kids into Olympic gold medal farms.

 

[True Believer]

Tsutomu Ogura realised that he is fighting a lost cause.

 

[earthquake]

Tsutomu Ogura realised that he is fighting a lost cause.

If Singapore can ever make it to World Cup, I chop!