As the ASEAN Cup 2026 approaches, Singapore's head coach Gavin Lee made a light-hearted remark about the challenges his team faces in terms of speed ahead of their match against Vietnam. Lee jokingly stated that the only way to improve their pace overnight would be through the use of performance-enhancing drugs, highlighting the stark difference in skill levels between Vietnam and their previous opponents.

Singapore has performed well so far, winning against Cambodia 2-1 and Timor Leste 2-0, placing them at the top of Group A. Meanwhile, Vietnam, with three points from their opening match—a resounding 7-0 victory over Timor Leste—sits in second place. During a press conference on July 30, Lee acknowledged the significant gap in quality between Vietnam and the teams they had previously faced, expressing his eagerness to secure three points at My Dinh Stadium.

"Facing Vietnam presents a completely different set of challenges for us," Lee admitted. He emphasized the importance of utilizing experiences from their training camp in Okinawa, Japan, to prepare for the match. The lessons learned from dealing with pressure in Japan have been particularly beneficial for the team.

Despite being favored against Cambodia, Singapore's victory was narrowly secured with a last-minute goal. Their win against Timor Leste was also less convincing, raising concerns about their ability to impose their style of play against stronger opponents like Vietnam. When asked about the team's lack of speed, Lee humorously remarked, "Unless we inject steroids or something similar, we won't be able to improve overnight. The players need to choose better moments and run in the right directions to compensate for the speed deficit."

Historically, Singapore has won four times against Vietnam, with nine draws and nine losses. However, in their last five encounters, Singapore has faced three defeats and two draws. In the 2024 ASEAN Cup semifinals, Singapore suffered a heavy 1-5 loss to Vietnam. Currently, Vietnam is considered even stronger, bolstered by the addition of naturalized players like Do Hoang Hen and Nguyen Tai Loc, who are of Brazilian descent.

Lee noted, "They not only have Quang Hai but also many quality players in specific positions. Tomorrow's match will not be easy for us. Our mission is to maintain our spirit and bring the team closer to our goals." If Singapore manages to defeat Vietnam, they will secure nine points and a guaranteed spot in the semifinals. Despite the challenges, Lee remains focused on achieving victory, viewing the ASEAN Cup as a crucial test for their preparation for the Asian Cup 2027.

Lee regards goalkeeper Izwan as a vital asset for the team, describing him as a strong shield that empowers the attacking line. "Izwan has skilled hands and is also good with his feet. Most importantly, he has a strong personality, hates losing, and motivates his teammates to give their best—a true professional. Having someone like him alongside the younger players is fantastic," Lee concluded.