Tatsuma Yoshida extends contract with Singapore Lions

Singapore: Tatsuma Yoshida will continue as national team coach until December 2022, the FA of Singapore (FAS) has announced.

Japanese Yoshida was appointed to the post on in June, 2019 and has since instilled an attractive, offensive style of play that has earned plaudits from both players and fans.

“I feel the same as I did two years ago when I took this position on – very fresh and with the same motivation to work with my boys, colleagues, the fans and the FAS,” said Yoshida, who previously handled club sides in Japan..

“2020 was not a normal year as the World Cup qualifiers were postponed and we could not play any international games."

"I was disappointed about that but after having extensive discussions with the FAS as well as my family, it was an easy decision for me to continue this project in Singapore because I believe we can still improve and are on our way to becoming a better team."

FAS President Lim Kia Tong said: “We are delighted that Tatsuma has agreed to extend his contract and stay on to lead the Lions. The team has demonstrated a marked improvement in terms of both playing style and results under his charge, which has given everyone the belief that we can become more competitive on the international stage in the future."

Since his appointment, Yoshida has taken charge of nine matches – four friendlies and five matches of the Asian Qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023.

Singapore are on seven points in Group D of the Asian Qualifiers, with Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Yemen and Palestine for company.

They are scheduled to play Palestine next on March 25 with Saudi Arabia to follow five days later. They end their second round campaign against Uzbekistan on June 7.