Singapore's Spirited Football Team: 'Will Fight for Our Country'

Nanyang Technological University Team's Belief

"We are proud to represent the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) at the 2025 International Youth Student Football Tournament. The whole team will fight for this honor, for the flag of our school," center-back Benjamin Yi Sheng Chik shared as soon as he and the NTU players completed the 2-hour flight from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City.

Benjamin is one of 23 Nanyang Technological University players carefully selected by coach Saswamadita Bin Dasuki for the 2025 International Youth Football Tournament - THACO Cup.

Nanyang Technological University team members have arrived in Ho Chi Minh City.

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

Nanyang Technological University's luggage to this tournament is the championship of the Singapore University Games (SUniG) 2024 and the Singapore Institute - University - Polytechnic Games (IVP) 2025. In the final match, coach Bin Dasuki's students defeated the National University of Singapore with a score of 2-1.

"The success in the domestic tournament has given us the privilege to participate in the 2025 International TNSV Tournament. We appreciate the opportunity and will make every effort," said Head of Delegation Muhammad Syafiq Bin Juffri. Sharing the same view with the team leaders, center back Benjamin affirmed: "We have trained very seriously and worked hard on the field to contribute to good matches. The criteria of the Nanyang Technological University team is to keep fighting and fighting."

The Singaporean representatives have gathered since March to prepare for the 2025 International Youth Football Tournament, with a constant frequency of training and friendly matches. The players have bonded together, having participated in many major tournaments together, and have been thoroughly trained in terms of physical strength, technique and mindset. The team representative believes that winning or losing should not be a priority, but that Nanyang Technological University wants to take advantage of the tournament for the players to learn and improve.

That is also the youthful spirit, full of student spirit that Benjamin wants to convey. "We are very confident that we will give our all. The team of Malaysia University and the team of Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism are both strong. However, let's wait and see what we can do," the player wearing the number 77 shirt continued.

Talents gather, Singapore representative hopes to meet Vietnam in the final

Attention to detail

As the football team of a top university in Asia, Nanyang Technological University represents very... Singaporean traits.

Disciplined, meticulous, principled and precise like the rotation of a clock. The team from the Lion Island prepares for the tournament down to every detail, both inside and outside of the field, from practice hours, shirt color, practice equipment, to meal times, meal quality, and judging criteria...

The organizing committee welcomed the members of the Nanyang Technological University team at the airport.

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

Singapore representative is ready

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

Everything was handled by Head of Delegation Bin Juffri and the logistics staff of the Singapore team. With experience in international competitions, Nanyang University wanted to ensure everything was done properly and professionally. "I am satisfied with the reception and preparation. The whole team will focus on bringing good matches," said the team representative.

An interesting detail is that the Nanyang Technological University team registered to practice even... on the day of the competition, in addition to the available practice sessions on the day off. Hard work and discipline have always been the pride of the Nanyang Technological University team. As Mr. Bin Juffri himself shared, in football, winning and losing is only a part. Training people through football is the core of the development strategy of the Nanyang Technological University team.

"Sports help to train people. Student players learn many things when playing football. We come to the Thanh Nien Newspaper student playground to prove ourselves, both in terms of personal qualities and team spirit. In addition to making efforts on the field, the whole team also wants to promote the spirit of cooperation and cultural exchange between Southeast Asian countries.

Sportsmanship always transcends the framework of competition, becoming a strong catalyst to build bridges connecting countries, as well as honoring the love and passion for football of the entire Nanyang Technological University team," Mr. Bin Juffri affirmed.

Nanyang Technological University is in Group B of the 2025 International Youth Student Football Tournament - THACO Cup with Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Malaysia University. The Singaporean representative will play the opening match at 6pm on March 22 against Malaysia University, then meet Thanh Hoa University of Culture, Sports and Tourism at 6pm on March 24.