Qualifying matches for the Asian Cup postponed for Lionesses in Jordan due to rising Middle Eastern tensions.
Postponed Parties: The Singapore Lionesses' Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers
The Lionesses' venture into the 2026 Women's Asian Cup qualifiers has taken a turn for the unpredictable as they face a sudden change of plans. The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) announced on June 19, a day before the team was about to jet off to Jordan, that their qualifiers have been postponed due to escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Initially scheduled from June 23 to July 5 at the King Abdullah II Stadium in Amman, Jordan, the qualifiers are now expected to take place at another venue from July 7 to 19.
The AFC, citing the ongoing conflict in the region and logistical worries raised by several participating member associations, was the reason for this shift according to the FAS's statement. The worsening security situation in the region shows no signs of abating as Israel and Iran continue to exchange heavy bombardments.
Lionesses head coach Karim Bencherifa said, "We have prepared well, the players have worked hard, but we have no control over these circumstances. The team has displayed resilience throughout our preparations, and we'll regroup and stay focused." He acknowledges the postponement's impact on their player availability plans but assures they'll adapt accordingly.
Feeling a mix of disappointment and optimism, the team is utilizing the extra time to sharpen their skills for the tournament. Forward Farhanah Ruhaizat noted, "We had prepared everything and made adjustments for this tournament. But now that it's been postponed, we have extra days to train and prepare even better." The team's captain, Rosnani Azman, echoed a similar sentiment, sharing, "Safety comes first. As a team, we've always believed in adapting and staying ready. We'll keep training hard and supporting one another and make sure we're ready when the time comes."
The Lionesses last competed in the Women's Asian Cup in 2003. 8 spots are up for grabs for the group winners, and the AFC has emphasized their intention to complete all qualification matches before the final tournament draw on July 29, 2025. Australia, China, South Korea, and Japan have already secured their places in the 12-team tournament.
The qualifying tournament is one of two significant events for the Lionesses in 2025, with the other being the Dec 9-20 SEA Games in Thailand. Although the team had originally planned to participate in the Aug 6-19 Asean Women's Championship in Vietnam, they withdrew as it clashes with the Under-20 Women's Asian Cup qualifiers.
The Singapore Lionesses were set to showcase their football skills in the Women's Asian Cup Qualifiers, but due to escalating tensions in the Middle East, these sports events were postponed, forcing the team to adjust their plans. Despite the unexpected turn of events, the Lionesses are making the best use of the extra time to hone their football skills for the re-scheduled tournament.
