As Singapore prepares to face Timor Leste in the ASEAN Cup, head coach Gavin Lee has urged his players to remain vigilant and not to take their opponents lightly, despite Timor Leste's recent 0-7 loss to Vietnam. In a press conference prior to the match, Lee dismissed the notion that Singapore could replicate Vietnam's dominant performance, stating, "I don’t care about the score difference, as long as we win."

Lee expressed that the scoreline from the Vietnam-Timor Leste match does not accurately reflect the dynamics of the game, suggesting it exaggerates the strength of the victorious team. He noted that Timor Leste posed several challenges during their match against Vietnam, highlighting that they are a well-organized team that suffered due to individual errors rather than a lack of overall quality. "The goals conceded by Timor Leste came in quick succession, and the players struggled to manage critical moments," Lee explained.

Vietnam's recent match against Timor Leste, which ended in a resounding 7-0 victory, marked the most significant win for the Vietnamese national team in nearly two decades. However, Lee pointed out that Timor Leste had moments of potential, having made seven attempts on goal during the match, with two clear chances and even hitting the post.

Timor Leste's coach, Ze Pedro, acknowledged that mistakes led to their defeat, stating, "The errors cost us dearly, but they also highlight the strength of the Vietnamese team." He emphasized that Vietnam's efficiency allowed them to score five goals in the first half, effectively sealing the match early on.

Looking ahead, Singapore will face Vietnam at My Dinh Stadium on July 31, and Lee's focus remains on ensuring his team is prepared to secure a victory against Timor Leste first.