Written by Han Bing During the June international window, China will play friendlies against Singapore and Thailand. Both sides were old rivals from the Asian qualifiers two years ago, and the circumstances now are quite different from that time.

First, both teams have undergone coaching changes—Singapore is now led by Li Siping, while Thailand is managed by Englishman Hudson. Second, their world rankings have shifted. In 2024, when Singapore (156th) and Thailand (101st) each held China (88th) to draws, China was ranked 13th in Asia. Now, China’s world ranking (94th) has been overtaken by Thailand (93rd), and China has dropped to 15th in Asia. The Chinese team hopes to boost its world ranking after these two friendlies and aim for a return to the top 12 in Asia.

Singapore: 13 players who experienced the 2-2 draw with China

Last November, Singapore beat Hong Kong, China 2-1 away in the Asian Cup qualifiers, returning to the Asian Cup after 43 years—the first time they qualified through the preliminary round. This was a historic moment for Singaporean football. Li Siping, who took over as interim coach after the 2024 World Cup qualifiers in June, has now been officially appointed with an 18-month contract.

On May 18, Li Siping announced a 28-man squad for June’s international matches, including veterans like defender Nazari, van Huizen, and forward Langley.

Seven Singapore players are based abroad, plying their trade in Thailand (3) and Malaysia (4). Lion City Sailors contributed eight players, while Li Siping’s former club Tampines Rovers provided seven.

The Stewart brothers, of Welsh-Singaporean descent, were selected. Older brother Ryan, a right-back, plays for Kanchanaburi Power in Thailand’s second division, coached by former Vietnam boss Park Hang-seo; younger brother Harris plays for Thai League 1 side Chiangrai United. The three Fandi brothers also made the cut. Their father is a Singaporean football legend, and their mother is a South African model. Defender Irfan and forward Ikhsan play in Malaysia, while the youngest, Ilhan, represents Lion City Sailors.

Singapore played a warm-up against Mongolia at home on May 31. Captain Harun, of Indian descent, surpassed English-born Bennett to become Singapore’s all-time appearance leader (148 caps). Besides his captaincy, Harun is also the vice-chairman of the Football Association of Singapore and works as a real estate agent off the pitch.

The Singapore squad also includes four Chinese-heritage players: defenders Chen Hanwei, Guo Jiajin, Zhou Junheng, and Mao Zhixuan. Mao set the record for the youngest appearance in the Singapore Premier League at 15 years and 5 days old in 2023.

This Singapore team features four naturalized players: midfielder Nakamura Kyoya, who previously played for Japan’s U17 national team, Korean midfielder Song Ui-young, and Danish-born mixed-race midfielder Mahler, who trained in Singapore. During the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, it was Mahler who equalized in the 81st minute, nearly costing China a spot in the final round. Forward Emaviwe, born in Singapore to a Nigerian father and Chinese-heritage mother, previously played in Italy’s Serie D and has been in the Thai League since last year.

Left-back Suzliman returns to the national team. His last appearance for Singapore was in the 2022 qualifier against China, where he suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury in the first half and was substituted. He has now received a call-up again after two years.

In this Singapore squad, aside from Suzliman, 13 players were part of the team that drew 2-2 with China at home two years ago: captain Harun, Baharudin, Chen Hanwei, Nazari, Guo Jiajin, Shahiran, Ryan Stewart, Ikhsan Fandi, as well as substitutes Mahler, Song Ui-young, Harris Stewart, and Anuar.

Thailand: New coach leading, focus on evaluating newcomers

After the Asian Cup qualifiers in October last year, Thailand changed coaches. Englishman Hudson replaced Japanese coach Ishii Masatada, who had led the team to an away draw against China in the previous qualifiers.

The 45-year-old Hudson has coached Bahrain, New Zealand, and the United States. He led Bahrain’s U23 team to win the 2013 U23 Gulf Cup and guided the senior Bahrain side to third place in the 2014 WAFF Championship. While coaching New Zealand, he faced China in November 2014, ending in a 1-1 draw in Nanchang. Zheng Zhi scored a long-range goal, and veteran striker Chris Wood, later part of New Zealand’s 2026 World Cup squad, equalized.

Since taking over, Hudson led Thailand to three straight wins in Asian Cup qualifiers to reach the finals. For the June international window, Hudson chose friendlies against Kuwait and China. In July and September, Thailand will participate in the traditional AFF Championship and the newly created FIFA Southeast Asia Cup.

On May 15, Hudson announced a 23-man squad for June. Twelve players who featured in the March Asian Cup qualifiers were left out, including Supachai, Chanathip, Theerathon, Supachok, Bansah, and naturalized players Mikkelson and Ben Davies. Veteran Teerasil Dangda, who turns 38 in early June, along with Thitiphan, Yot, Weerathep, Supanan, Narubadin, naturalized defender Bill, and goalkeeper Patiwat were included.

In this Thailand squad, four players started against China two years ago: double-pivot midfielders Yot and Weerathep, right-back Supanan, and goalkeeper Patiwat. Substitute goalkeeper Sarawut came on in the second half, while veteran Dangda remained on the bench for the full 90 minutes. In addition, midfielders Samrong and Thirapha participated in the U23 Asian Cup earlier this year, finishing goalless against China’s U23s in the final group match, with both getting playing time. In the March Xi’an Four Nations tournament against China’s U23s, Kakana and Thirapha featured, with Thirapha playing the full match and Kakana staying on the bench.

This squad includes 10 players over 30 and seven U23 newcomers, blending experience with youth. Hudson’s new recruits are concentrated in midfield and attack, with particular attention on three overseas-based players, two of whom are naturalized.

20-year-old naturalized winger Gagnier, born in Lyon to a French-Thai mother, came through the Lyon academy. He made his Ligue 1 debut for Lens this season, becoming the first Thai player to appear in France’s top flight. He had already represented Thailand at the U23 Asian Cup in 2024 and is now called up to the senior team for the first time. 22-year-old Somsu Bell, born in England, was developed by Chelsea’s academy and represented England from U15 to U19 levels. He currently plays for Grimsby Town in England’s League Two. His mother is of English-Thai descent, and the Football Association of Thailand successfully persuaded him to switch allegiance in November last year.

19-year-old winger Thirapha came through the BG Pathum United academy and joined Japanese club Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo early this year. In the special J2/J3 season, he made 10 appearances, scoring one goal and providing four assists.

Thailand assembled on May 30 and began preparations at BG Pathum United’s training center. Coach Hudson stated that the friendly against Kuwait at home on June 5 is more important, and he plans to rotate the squad for the match against China in Jinhua on June 9. Barring surprises, the newly recruited overseas players will be Hudson’s main focus for evaluation.