Tampines Rovers striker Qiu Li has been added to Radojko Avramovic’s Singapore squad currently preparing for the upcoming World Cup Qualifiers in June after receiving his citizenship papers earlier today. He is Singapore football’s first player inducted under the Foreign Sports Talent (FST) scheme since midfielder Fahrudin Mustafic more than two years ago.
Qiu, 26, was earmarked under the FST scheme back in 2005 when he first came to Singapore with now defunct S.League club Sinchi. He joined the Young Lions in 2006 where he had a hugely prolific year where he amassed 23 goals in all competitions as the team finished a credible third in the league and reached the semi-finals of the Malaysia FA Cup.
Last year, he made the move to Home United helping the Protectors to a runners-up finish before making the switch to the east to don Tampines colours this season. After 12 games in the league, he is currently their top scorer with eight goals.
Said Qiu, “I’m very happy that I can now represent Singapore in international competitions. I’ve been here for more than three years and this is where I call home. The World Cup Qualifiers are very important to us and if I get the chance, I will do my best to bring glory to the country.”
National Coach Avramovic commented, “We first noticed Qiu Li when he was with Sinchi and subsequently we brought him to the Young Lions where he combined very well with Khairul Amri. He is a team player, very good at holding the ball and is capable of scoring goals. Now that he is eligible for the National Team, he will have the chance to play just like all the other players. It is up to him now to take this chance.”
Qiu’s inclusion brings the number of players in the squad to 25 and he will have his first opportunity for his first cap on 28 May when the Lions take on Bahrain in an international friendly at the National Stadium.
