​ Lions Conclude Productive Okinawa Training Camp Ahead of ASEAN Championship Hyundai Cup 2026

The Singapore Men’s National Team has wrapped up a 12-day training camp in Okinawa, Japan, as preparations intensify for the upcoming ASEAN Championship Hyundai Cup 2026.

Held from 6 to 17 July, the camp tested the Lions against strong Japanese opposition, offering the squad a valuable chance to experience the physical and mental rigours of tournament-style football across three competitive fixtures in quick succession.

Head Coach Gavin Lee believes the experience has given his side crucial lessons ahead of the regional showpiece.

"This training camp enabled us to go up against quality opposition. Each match pushed us outside our comfort zones, especially with the short turnaround between games—and that was exactly what I hoped to achieve," said Lee.

Singapore opened the camp with a 2-0 defeat to FC Ryukyu, before narrowly losing 3-2 to Okinawa SV. The Lions also played a closed-door preparation match against Albirex Niigata to round off the camp.


"Despite the results, what pleased me most was seeing the group embrace that discomfort. They continued to compete, learn, and grow with every session and every match. Those are lessons we’ll carry with us into the tournament, and we leave Okinawa better prepared for what lies ahead," Lee added.

The Lions will now return to Singapore for the final phase of preparations before kicking off their ASEAN Championship Hyundai Cup campaign away to Cambodia on Friday, 24 July. They will then host Timor-Leste (27 July) and Indonesia (7 August), with an away trip to defending champions Vietnam (31 July) in between.