SEA Games 2025 Thailand Football: Europe-Hardened Jonan Tan and Legacy-Driven Aizil Yazid Ready to Turn Pressure Into Purpose

After years of setbacks and a near omission from the tournament, Singapore’s SEA Games bound footballers are determined to learn, grow, and make their mark in Thailand

PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / HANA BASIR

Singapore football’s recent history at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games has been nothing short of turbulent. The nation was initially omitted from the upcoming 33rd edition kicking off this December—an absence that would have marked Singapore’s first since 1969. Coupled with the fact that the team has not secured a medal since its bronze finish in 2007, the pressure weighing on the Young Lions is undeniable.

Yet for the squad heading to Thailand, that pressure has become a source of fuel.

United by a shared determination—despite each player’s unique path to the present moment—the team is ready to learn, to fight, and, with hope and grit, to return home having delivered a campaign they can be proud of.

This young squad is filled with stories still unfolding. Among them, Jonan Tan—currently on loan at Liga Portugal 2 side Vizela—and Aizil Yazid, who carries a proud footballing family legacy, are poised to play pivotal roles in Singapore’s pursuit of a strong and commendable SEA Games campaign this year.

Jonan Tan: Europe-Hardened and Ready to Raise the Standard

For Jonan Tan—on loan at Liga Portugal 2’s Vizela—life in Portugal has been a test of adaptation, resilience, and identity—one he’s grateful for despite the grind.

PHOTO: VIZELA FC

“It's been hard, but I still thank God for the opportunity to go overseas, it's not something that a lot of people have the opportunity to do,” shared the midfielder.

 “The football there is a lot more intense, a lot more competitive and I had to adapt to that—both physically and mentally—to train harder and be as competitive as them.”

The challenge went far beyond the pitch, as Jonan has had to battle language barriers living and playing in Portugal. Despite the unfamiliarity, he has found clarity in one truth: every experience overseas can be reinvested into the national team.

“There’s a big difference between playing in Portugal and playing in Singapore. For me I hope to bring a lot more competitiveness, physicality and intensity into the team,” said the 19-year-old.

The transition back into the national team ahead of the SEA Games has come with new coaching voices, but a familiar sense of accountability. Around him, he sees a team united in purpose in bringing Singapore football forward in what has been a tumultuous time with regards to the regional tournament.

PHOTO: SPORTPLUS.SG / HANA BASIR

“We are very focused on the upcoming SEA Games campaign. The mood with the team is nice and we’re happy,” he shared.

“We all know the responsibilities that we have representing Singapore. We are going to go out there, do our best and fight as hard as we can.”

With the senior team recently making headlines by qualifying for the Asian Cup on merit for the first time in Singapore’s footballing history, the SEA Games squad have found renewed confidence—even as they remain firmly focused on their own objectives and cautious not to get swept up in their seniors’ success. Jonan was part of that historic campaign, when he was on the bench during Singapore’s 2-1 away win against India in October.

“Seeing that they were able to overcome the odds and qualify for the Asian Cup gave us the confidence and the hopefulness in ourselves to know that if they can do it, we can do it too,” smiled the midfielder.

As expectations build, Jonan remains grounded.

“We all want to win but for us, we are more focused on improvement and the process. We want to play the best football that we can regardless of results and to give our 100%.”

And to Singapore fans, he has one heartfelt message:

“We want them to keep on supporting us. I know it's been a difficult ride with regards to the SEA games but I hope that they can be positive. I hope that they can still rally behind us and keep cheering for us no matter what because in the end, we are all still Singaporeans."

Aizil Yazid: A Second-generation Singapore National Goalkeeper of Responsibility, Brotherhood, and Belief

For goalkeeper Aizil Yazid, the SEA Games is more than another tournament—it is a stage to live out a unique dream: representing Singapore alongside his brother.

“It is always an honour to have my brother in the same team as me. I have a reliable person to keep me accountable. Whenever I become a little lazy, he just nudges me and reminds me to work harder so we can achieve the goals we’ve set together,” shared the 20-year-old.

“It’s a privilege. Not a lot of people get this opportunity to represent Singapore with their brother.”

PHOTO: UNLEASH THE ROAR!

Beginning his career as a striker, Aizil slowly found himself moving further and further down the pitch, before eventually settling in the same position his father, Yazid Yasin, used to hold. 

“I wanted the glory of scoring goals, you know?” he laughed.

“Sadly, I wasn't fit enough. Now I quite enjoy the uniqueness of being a goalkeeper because it’s a position of ultimate responsibility. My dad being a goalkeeper played a big part in me trying it out. I used to watch him train when I was younger and that really inspired me.”

Pressure comes with the territory, but Aizil embraces it with perspective.

“There’s pressure no matter your position, though I think there is more pressure put on goalkeepers,” shared Aizil honestly.

“But donning the jersey is a bigger honour than the pressure itself so going into every game, I just choose to believe in the work that I have put in and just trust that I will do well in the game. That’s how I deal with the pressure.”

With the tournament fast approaching, Aizil and his teammates have learned to use pressure to their advantage—using it as fuel to stage a performance worth being proud of.

“The boys are raring to go especially when they think about the past difficult experiences. I think the boys are more fired up to go.”

“Just like any other tournament, we go to learn as much as we can and whatever the results are, I think there’s always positives to take from anything we do. Going to the SEA Games, we’ll do our best to focus on our performance and hopefully the results will show our efforts, and whatever happens, we will learn from it.”

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