Aide: More or Less 80% confirmed for SEA Games First XI

"Heartlands Series" at Toa Payoh

The national U23 side played to a one-all draw against Hougang United which comprised mainly their Prime Leaguers at the Toa Payoh Stadium.

This match was part of the two-match series arranged this week for the SEA Games gelling process.

Speaking to the media after the match, Cubs coach Aide Iskandar revealed he is "more or less" have in his mind who will be his starting eleven in the Myanmar adventure.

Said the former national captain:"More or less this team that played tonight will be the first eleven, around 80 percent of them,"

"Overall, I am quite happy with what I saw today with the chances we created but I am not pleased with the end product that I think we need to work it out on that." added Coach Aide on those rued chances his side had during the match.

Aide Iskandar is the coach of the Cubs

Following the match against the Cambodian Under-23 side on the same venue this Friday, the squad of 28 will gradually trim to the number to the final 20 players  to represent the Republic.

While in the meantime, the rescheduling of the SEA Games football fixtures does allow some breathers for the Cubs in their preparation for the most coveted event in the biennial regional meet that the team are likely to play one more friendly match on the 1st of December before their first match against Laos on the 8th (the first match was originally slated on the 4th).

"We are trying to arrange another friendly match on 1st December before the Games and we are talking to some teams now." said the 38-year-old who is planning to try out a few more players in the running up for the football tournament.

For the record, Sahil Suhaimi opened the scoring in the 24th minute for the Cubs, before Saseetharan Kaleemuthu equalised for the Cheetahs in the 57th minute.

The Cubs will be represented by the national U23 "B" squad this coming Friday (22nd November) against their Cambodian counterparts in the second friendly match of the week at Toa Payoh Stadium, the match will kick-off at 7.30pm with free admission.

(P.S: I tried to look for the team sheet during the match but to not avail that I couldn't confirm who were the players featured due to poor visibility)