Earning the Jersey He Once Dreamed of: Raoul Suhaimi’s Rise to the Singapore National Team
- Hana Basir
- Oct 7
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 8
Recalled to the Singapore national team for October's AFC Asian Cup qualifiers against India, Raoul Suhaimi shares on his journey to donning the national team jersey
This is a feature article written by SportPlus.sg for Kallang Alive Sports Management. For more sports events, programmes and human stories of Singapore Sports Hub, visit the Singapore Sports Hub's 'Here to Play' website.
Growing up, Raoul Suhaimi used to be one of thousands of fans in the stands at the Singapore National Stadium cheering on his heroes on the pitch.
Now, at just 20 years old, the Young Lions defender is poised to once again step out onto the very same pitch, having earned a recall to the Singapore men’s national team for the upcoming 2027 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup qualifiers against India — his first call-up since March this year.
“It’s a very proud moment for me and my family,” smiled Raoul. “I’m always grateful to be called back to represent my country.”
Despite a challenging start to the Singapore Premier League (SPL) season for the Young Lions, Raoul’s consistency has stood out and earned him a return to the Lions squad. Poised to become part of Singapore’s next generation of players, the pride of wearing the Singapore jersey on home soil is unmatched. For Raoul, this isn’t just a professional milestone — it’s personal.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to represent Singapore in front of my family and friends. I used to come to the National Stadium with my family to watch the senior team play. It’s a great honour to now be on the team,” gushed Raoul.
While many of his memories at the venue are tied to training sessions and team meals at Kallang Wave Mall, the upcoming fixture marks a new chapter — one where Raoul won’t be watching from the stands, but as an eager young player hungry to learn all that he can from his seniors.
Sharing the pitch with his heroes
When asked about his role models, two names came to mind for the young right-back.
One was Jacob Mahler, a fellow defender and former Young Lions teammate. Club captain at the time, Jacob — five years Raoul’s senior — left a lasting impression during his early years in the squad.
“When I first started playing for Young Lions, I was only 15 and there were players like Jacob Mahler. I really look up to him. He really guided me throughout the two years we played together,” Raoul shared.
The other is Singapore captain Hariss Harun — a figure Raoul has long admired for his professionalism and consistency.
“Growing up, I also looked up to Hariss Harun. I think he’s a very disciplined player,” he reflected.
It’s a full-circle moment for Raoul — now sharing the pitch with his heroes in the red of Singapore and going toe-to-toe with them in the SPL. It’s a surreal twist that adds a deeply personal layer to his footballing journey.
“It’s a great experience getting to play against the players I look up to. At club level, I’ll now get to play against Jacob, which I’ve never done before. Hopefully that’ll happen this year. At the same time, playing with or against Hariss, I can see how determined and focused he is and what he brings to the game,” Raoul shared.
“I love the challenge, you know? To play against national team players who are more experienced, it’s a great experience for me. I’m only 20 years old, and I get to play against quality players. I can learn a lot from them.”
Becoming a leader in the backline
Having spent five years in the SPL with Young Lions, Raoul has quickly earned a reputation as a calm and mature presence at the heart of defence — traits that have become his trademark.
His development has been closely tied to the environment around him. Coach Firdaus Kassim’s emphasis on a modern, possession-based style has complemented Raoul’s natural ability to read the game and play out from the back.
“His guidance, along with the staff’s support, has really helped me develop as a player. I feel like with this style of play, I’ve learned to be more composed,” shared Raoul.
Despite playing in a youthful squad, Raoul hasn’t shied away from taking responsibility, often tasked with organising the defence and serving as a commanding presence in the backline.
“The way Coach Firdaus always emphasises on communication — I think that’s where I gained the courage to take on that responsibility,” recounted the defender.
Eyes on the Future With maturity beyond his years, Raoul is well aware of the responsibility that comes with his rising profile. But he’s not here for the spotlight. He’s here to put in the work towards fulfilling all he’s ever dreamt of.
“I hope the fans see my determination, and that I work hard for the country. If I get the chance to showcase my abilities, I’ll definitely make full use of it.”
And while his immediate focus is on the qualifiers, his ambitions stretch far beyond.
“I really look forward to representing Singapore for as long as I can, it’s always been my dream,” he said.
“As for club level, I think my goal is to develop and learn from playing in the SPL.”
For now, though, his sights are firmly set on making his mark in Singapore’s push to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 — a historic target that would mark the nation’s first-ever appearance at the tournament.
Tickets for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers for Singapore vs India on 9th October are available for puchase here.
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