Lion City Sailors forward Shawal Anuar has withdrawn from the Singapore National Team squad that will face South Korea and Thailand in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Round 2 qualifiers in June.

The 33-year-old made the decision for personal reasons, as his expectant wife is due to deliver their third child in the same month.

Shawal, who made a great start to the 2024/25 season with three goals in as many matches, has been replaced by Ilhan Fandi in the squad.

That leaves six Sailors in Tsutomu Ogura’s Lions squad, with Zharfan Rohaizad, Christopher van Huizen, Lionel Tan, Hami Syahin, Song Uiyoung and captain Hariss Harun in line to face South Korea and Thailand on 6 and 11 June respectively.

We hereby wish Shawal and his family all the best during this special time.