SINGAPORE — Singapore national football under-23 head coach Aide Iskandar has admitted that his team could do with a win, as he urged his players to show what they are capable of when they face Shizuoka Sangyo University today.

With just over two weeks to the start of their SEA Games campaign — they kick-off against the Philippines on June 1 — Thursday’s 2-1 defeat to Japanese fourth division side Azul-Claro Numaza is set to heap more pressure on Aide’s side, which has endured a series of disappointing results this year. It has also been criticised for lacking leadership and had its hunger questioned.

But the former national captain has insisted his players are working harder to prove their detractors wrong and is hoping that victory over Shizuoka Sangyo University will help lift his players.

“We are hoping for a win to boost our morale. However, every Japanese university team is a good team and we should not be taking anything from granted against them (Shizuoka Sangyo),” he said.

“We are looking forward to a great match and as always, I want the boys to prove themselves to me and the rest of the coaching staff.”

Aide, who used 24 players from his 25-man provisional squad in the friendly against Azul Claro — midfielder Pravin Guanasagaran was left out because of injury — outlined that the week-long training tour in Japan is to “provide equal opportunities and playing time for each player to impress the coaching staff and get selected for the final 20”.

An official announcement of the final 20-man squad for the Games is expected to be made during the competition’s team managers meeting a day before Singapore’s opening Group A match against the Philippines on June 1.

In the meantime, Aide is expected to field another experimental line-up today against Shizuoka Sangyo University.

Former national star Steven Tan believes results on this training tour are irrelevant, as long as the objectives of allowing the players to bond and train without distractions are met, but added that Aide should already know who will be in his starting line-up for the Games.

“The starting 11 must have as much game time as possible. There is no point trying new things and testing different formations now,” said Tan. “I believe he (Aide) has his tactics and strategies in place, so he should start getting his first-team accustomed to them now, so they can execute them better at the Games.”

Singapore, who have been drawn in Group A along with Indonesia, Myanmar, Cambodia and the Philippines, are expected to advance to the semi-finals of the under-23 competition, where they could face Malaysia or reigning champions Thailand.

With the Games being held in Singapore for the first time in 22 years, there is added pressure on Aide and his charges to end the country’s wait for its maiden SEA Games gold medal in football.

But former national midfield stalwart Malek Awab said: “They’ve got a chance to win the gold for sure. They’re playing at home and, while teams such as Malaysia and Thailand are strong, I believe our players are more than a match for them.”

And while 14-time SEA Games champions Thailand remain firm favourites, former Singapore midfielder Rafi Ali, who made over 50 appearances for the Lions, reiterated the unpredictable nature of sport.

“They’ve got the natural talent and good coaches in Aide and Kadir (Yahaya) — who know what SEA Games is all about — to guide them,” he said. “What they really need now is self-belief and more consistency in their game.”