Thane City FC’s Under 12, Under 14, and Under 16 football teams participated in the Singa Cup 2025 held in Singapore, competing in 12 matches against strong teams from Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. The players got the chance to test their skills against some of the best in Asia and enjoyed a unique learning journey, setting a benchmark for youth football in the region. This is Thane City FC’s second season at the Singa Cup.
Thane’s Under-16 Boys Shine
The big highlight was when the Under-16 boys beat Australia’s Ashdale Academy 1-0, with Chaitanya Joshi scoring the match-winning goal and making everyone proud. Another bright spot was seen in the close match against Garuda Muda from Indonesia, where Yug Panchal scored, but the team narrowly lost 2-1. Faisal Khan, the Head Coach for U16, said, “This trip helped our boys understand Asian football standards. They played with heart and learned a lot with every game.” The team narrowly lost on the Quarter Final spot to an Indonessian team to Goal Difference.
While the Under 12 and Under 14 teams didn’t win any games, they had a valuable exposure tour. Players saw firsthand how teams from other countries play and train, which helped them see the benchmark of Asian football. This learning will surely help them improve when they return.
Thane Players in Singapore
The Singa Cup was much more than matches. The boys visited Universal Studios, Gardens by the Bay, and Merlion Park, creating memories away from the pitch. For many of them, it was their first time meeting kids from so many different countries, and this helped them understand new cultures in a fun way. Good times that will leave a lasting impact on many of these young boys.
Joining Thane City FC opened doors for these players to play outside India, learn from every match, and bring back this experience to their teammates at home. This Singa Cup experience gave our boys a taste of international football, teamwork, and new cultures, helping them grow as players and as individuals