But now Leung Nok-hang, Vas Nunez, Li Ngai-hoi, Yue Tze-nam and Matthew Orr – the latter of whom played for Hong Kong in the EAFF Championship in Japan last year before moving to China League One – are all available this week.

Adding to Andersen’s firepower will be Hong Kong’s latest naturalised forward, Mahama Awal, who received his passport on Monday – just in time for the two friendlies, with a trip to Johor coming up next for Tuesday’s clash against Malaysia.

Andersen could not hide his admiration of centre-half Leung, who played for Zhejiang in the Chinese Super League when they finished third last season. Leung played a huge part in his side’s success, making 30 league appearances, and missing just 4 games.

Now 28, the versatile defender, who is keen to take command and remind his teammates of his quality, is the best candidate to become Hong Kong’s next captain, with current skipper Huang Yang already 39.

Leung has a golden opportunity against Singapore to prove himself under Andersen, having last represented Hong Kong in the 2019 EAFF Championship when Mixu Paatelainen was still in charge.

“He is one of the players in the captain group,” Andersen said of Leung, also mentioning Huang and Yapp Hung-fai. “He plays in China and comes with a high quality that can help the team.”

Leung admitted he was delighted to be able to play for Hong Kong again, especially in front of a packed home crowd.

“My last game for the team was four years ago [against Cambodia in World Cup qualifying] and I am so happy to be back,” he said. “Although I haven’t played with my teammates for a long time, I have no lack of communication with them as whenever I came back for the off season, the coach briefs me and updates me on the team and what he wants me to do.

“Whether I will be the captain or not is not that important as I will continue to give my best and help the team on and off the pitch. But of course if I were appointed captain, it will give extra impetus to work harder. ”

There is more at stake than just victory in an international friendly, ahead of the Asian Cup finals in Qatar – these two games also provide a chance to improve Hong Kong’s ranking.

World No 146 Hong Kong are currently ranked 26th in Asia, with Malaysia and Singapore 25th and 34th respectively.

The 2026 World Cup qualifiers will begin in October with the top 25 teams going straight into the group stage, while the other 22 teams will play a two-leg preliminary round to decide which 11 join them.

Hong Kong could only manage a goalless draw in their most recent outing against Myanmar in So Kon Po in September, while Malaysia beat them 2-0 in a friendly before the Asian Cup qualifiers in India.

But Hong Kong have a favourable head-to-head record over Singapore, having not lost to them in their last five encounters, with three wins and two draws since 2013.

Boosting Andersen’s chances on Thursday will be the absence of Singapore’s Fandi brothers.

Striker Ikhsan Fandi scored six international goals last year, including a double against Malaysia and a hat-trick against Myanmar.

Both Ikhsan and his elder brother Irfan Fandi play for Thailand side BG Pathum United, the team that knocked Kitchee out of last year’s AFC Champions League in the round of 16, with Ikhsan scoring one of their four goals.

The trip, which includes another friendly against Macau on Sunday, has given Singapore head coach Takayuki Nishigaya an opportunity to call up five new faces as well as those who have not had an opportunity to feature for the national team for some time.

“The players who I have named have played well domestically for their clubs, but it is important for them to have a taste of international football and understand exactly what the level of intensity is required. The younger players also need this exposure, so they know what is required,” he said.