BACKROOM ADDITIONS
On Thursday, FAS announced that Ogura will be adding former Kashima Antlers assistant coach Kosei Nakamura to his backroom staff as he looks to intensify preparations for the upcoming qualifiers.
Tampines Rovers head coach Gavin Lee was also invited to join Ogura’s team for the March international window.
Nakamura, who will join the Lions set-up as Ogura’s assistant coach, “brings forth a wealth of experience alongside a host of qualifications”, FAS said in a media release.
The 42-year-old, who also hails from Japan, began his coaching journey at Kashima Antlers in 2007 as a football academy coach, rising through the ranks to become assistant manager of the club’s professional side in April 2023.
Nakamura had a stint in Singapore during his playing days, making 15 appearances and scoring seven goals for Albirex Niigata during the 2005-06 S.League season.
FAS said that Lee “made history” in 2019 as the youngest-ever coach in the Singapore Premier League. He was 28 at the time.
Under his leadership, Tampines Rovers secured consecutive second-place finishes in the Singapore Premier League and clinched the Singapore Cup in his debut season, FAS added.
“I am very encouraged that everyone has come together to work towards a common goal of improving our national team. I have met all the SPL coaches and look forward to working with all of them,” Ogura said in a statement.
Nakamura and Lee are set to join the national team in their preparations on Mar 11 when centralised training begins.
SINGAPORE MEN’S SQUAD FOR MARCH 2024
Goalkeepers: Hassan Sunny, Syazwan Buhari, Zharfan Rohaizad
Defenders: Anumanthan Mohan Kumar, Fairuz Fazli, Jared Gallagher, Jacob Mahler, Irfan Fandi, Nazrul Nazari, Safuwan Baharudin, Ryhan Stewart, Lionel Tan, Zulqarnaen Suzliman
Midfielders: Joel Chew, Hariss Harun, Glenn Kweh, Shah Shahiran, Harhys Stewart, Song Ui-young, Zulfahmi Arifin
Forwards: Daniel Goh, Faris Ramli, Hafiz Nor, Ikhsan Fandi, Ilhan Fandi, Shawal Anuar