Song Ui-young (born 8 November 1993), better known as Song, is a professional footballer who plays primarily as an attacking-midfielder for Singapore Premier League club Lion City Sailors and the Singapore national team. Born in South Korea, he plays for the Singapore national team.
 Song with Lion City Sailors in 2024 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Song Ui-young | ||
| Date of birth | 8 November 1993[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Incheon, South Korea | ||
| Height | 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder / Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Lion City Sailors | ||
| Number | 15 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Cheong Wang Middle School[3] | |||
| Yeouido High School[3] | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2011–2023 | Lion City Sailors | 163 | (55) |
| 2023 | Nongbua Pitchaya | 8 | (1) |
| 2023–2024 | Persebaya Surabaya | 17 | (1) |
| 2024– | Lion City Sailors | 0 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2021– | Singapore | 24 | (4) |
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 9 December 2023 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21 November 2023 | |||
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 송의영 |
|---|---|
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Song Uiyeong |
| McCune–Reischauer | Song Ŭiyŏng |
Mainly an attacking-midfielder, he is also capable of playing as a central-midfielder, winger, striker or as a defensive-midfielder occasionally.
Arguably one of the most accomplished midfielders in the Singapore Premier League, he is known for his high work rate and superb technical abilities.[4] He moved to Singapore in 2011 to join Home United – now known as the Lion City Sailors. He has established himself as one of the best attacking-midfielders in Southeast Asia.
Early life edit
Song was born in Incheon, South Korea and spent most of his childhood between school and football. Song was known as a quiet child during his schooling days, but stood out for his footballing skills and passion for the sport. He was scouted in his final year of elementary school to join Cheong Wang Middle School, a school renowned for its footballing programme. Song also moved to the dormitory as the school premises were situated in the Gyeonggi-do province, away from Incheon where he lived.[5]
Club career edit
Youth edit
At the age of 13, Song began training with the school team of Cheong Wang Middle School. In the final year of middle school, Song was made the team captain and his head coach also put in a recommendation during his graduation for him to attend his high school education at Yeouido High School, which was known for its affiliations with K League Classic club Suwon Samsung Bluewings.[5]
Home United edit
Having excelled at youth level for his academy, by the recommendation of his coach from Yeouido High School, Song left South Korea at the age of 17 to pursue footballing opportunities in Singapore. Song's move to Singapore was eased by the presence of Home United's coach, Lee Lim-saeng in which Song said that his academy’s coach knew him. Lee used to work as an assistant coach in Suwon Samsung and the academy was under Suwon Samsung so both coaches knew each other. He also work under assistant coach Baek Jong-seok, whom he shared an apartment with.
Song subsequently joined Home United's youth team, which participates in the Prime League, before being promoted to join the first team which competed in the S.League.[5] On 12 July 2012, Song made his debut appearance for the Protectors in the uniformed derby against Warriors. He played a total of 46 minutes in his first competitive match for the club, which subsequently ended in a 0–3 loss for his side.[citation needed]
Former Home United coach Philippe Aw who managed the Singapore Selection side for the 2016 Sultan of Selangor Cup, selected Song in the 18-man squad for the cup tie that took place at the Shah Alam Stadium on 7 May 2016. He came on as a substitute in the 56th minute, and played the remainder of the match which eventually ended 1–1 (3–4 on penalties) in a win for the Singapore Selection team.[6]
Song often spearhead the attacking players in the false nine position. Alongside Shahril Ishak, he enjoyed a prolific start to the 2018 Singapore Premier League campaign before encountering an injury that ruled him out for the latter half of the season.[citation needed] Song also played a pivotal role in helping the club to a second-place finish, scoring a total of 20 goals over the entire season,[7] securing Home United with a play-off slot for the AFC Champions League as well as its highest ever AFC Cup finish in the quarter-finals.[8]
On 1 November 2018, it was reported that Song had rejected interest from Indonesian giants Persija Jakarta. Despite being offered a deal worth US$20,000 per month from the Indonesian club, Song chose to remain with Home United, stating his hopes of representing Singapore internationally in the future.[9] He also signed a two-year contract extension with the Singapore-based club.[9]
Lion City Sailors edit
On 14 February 2020, Home United was purchased, privatised and officially renamed as Lion City Sailors by Singaporean billionaire, Forrest Li.[10] Song remained with the rebranded side, representing the club for the 2020 Singapore Premier League season.
During the 2021 season, Song was quick to express his delight at the influx of fresh talent, which he explained helped boost the quality and intensity of training sessions.[citation needed] However, the arrival of Lopes also meant he had to give up his number 10 shirt.[citation needed] Under new manager Kim Do-hoon, Song was part of the Lion City Sailors side that won the 2021 Singapore Premier League which qualified them for next season AFC Champions League group stage. He ended the season scoring 7 goals in 15 appearances.[citation needed]
In Song's first game of the 2022 season, he helped his side to win the 2022 Singapore Community Shield.[citation needed] He went on to score six goals and provided five assists in 31 appearances for the club.[citation needed] During the 2022 AFC Champions League group stage matches, Song scored a header from Maxime Lestienne's cross which resulted the Sailors to a 3–0 victory against K League 1 club Daegu FC.[11] Against the Chinese club, Shandong Taishan, he scored a goal and provided a assist and was named 'Man of the Match'.[citation needed] In the reverse fixture against Daegu, Song scored a goal again but the Sailors eventually lost the match. In May, it was reported that Daegu and Suwon FC is interested in signing Song and had made an offer.[citation needed]
Song has scored 78 goals and provided 23 assists in 226 appearances across 12 seasons, leaving the Sailors as their all-time top goalscorer with 32 goals in all competitions.[citation needed]
Nongbua Pitchaya edit
On 15 January 2023, it was announced that Song had left Lion City Sailors to move out of his “comfort zone” to pursue new challenges with Thai League 1 side Nongbua Pitchaya.[7] On 21 January 2023, Song scored his first goal in his debut game for the club against Bangkok United in a 3–1 lost.
Persebaya Surabaya edit
On 2 June 2023, Song signed on with Indonesia's Liga 1 club Persebaya Surabaya.[12] On 18 August 2023, Song scored a rocket shot from outside the box scoring the only goal in the game against Liga 1 champions, PSM Makassar. His goal was voted as the 'Best Goal of the Week' for game week 9.
Return to Lion City Sailors edit
After spending nearly a year playing his trade in Thailand and Indonesia, on 7 March 2024, Song returned to his former club Lion City Sailors, on a two-year contract in preparation for the 2024–25 Singapore Premier League season and the newly formed 2024–25 AFC Champions League 2 campaign. He will donned the no.15 which was his first number that he wore since he moved to Singapore back in 2011. On his official returned to the club on 4 May 2024, Song helped his club to win the 2024 Singapore Community Shield in a 2–0 win against Albirex Niigata (S).
International career edit
After receiving Singaporean citizenship, Song was called up to the Singapore national team on 27 August 2021.[13][14]
On 11 November 2021, Song made his international debut in a friendly match against Kyrgyzstan.[15] On 5 December 2021, Song made his competitive debut at the 2020 AFF Championship with a 3–0 victory against Myanmar. Song scored his first goal for Singapore in the second leg of the 2020 AFF Championship semi-final match against Indonesia.[16] He scored his second goal and third goals in the Asian Cup third-round qualifiers.
Song had given the Lions the lead against the Kyrgyz Republic in the first game of the qualifiers before two goals in three minutes sent Singapore to a narrow defeat.[17] His third goal for the Lions came in a 6–2 win over Myanmar in the final match of their qualifiers.[18]
Song was called up for the 2022 AFF Championship. On 12 September 2023, Song scored a goal against Chinese Taipei in his return to the national team. Singapore won that game 3–1.
On 16 November 2023, during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match against South Korea in Seoul, Song pulled off a magnificent performance against his birth country despite the boos from the South Korea fans due to him choosing to represent Singapore, although Singapore still ended up losing 5–0 in the end.
Style of play edit
Initially deployed as a defensive-midfielder by former Home United head coach Lee Lim-saeng, Song was placed in more offensive roles under Aidil Sharin Sahak, playing in a variety of positions as a box-to-box or attacking-midfielder, winger, second-striker and even as a poacher.[19]
Personal life edit
During an interview in 2016, Song shared his eagerness of representing Singapore internationally, which included having to naturalise as a Singaporean citizen in the process and renouncing his South Korean citizenship, as both Singapore and South Korea does not permit dual citizenship.[4] Song had also been applying to be a Singaporean citizen on his own merit, independent of the possibility of the Football Association of Singapore reviving the Foreign Sports Talent Scheme which was established in the 2000s.[20] Furthermore, he had met FIFA eligibility rules for foreign players planning to represent other national teams, as he has never represented South Korea internationally.[4]
In 2020, after three unsuccessful attempts, Song successfully attained permanent residency in Singapore.[21] A year later on 20 August 2021, Song formally became a Singaporean citizen, therefore making him eligible to represent Singapore.[22]
Career statistics edit
Club edit
- As of 17 December 2023[23]
| Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | AFC Cup | ACL ACL 2 |
Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Lion City Sailors | 2012 | S.League | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| 2013 | S.League | 17 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 4 | |
| 2014 | S.League | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2015 | S.League | 20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 1 | |
| 2016 | S.League | 19 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 6 | |
| 2017 | S.League | 13 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 5 | |
| 2018 | Singapore Premier League | 13 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 20 | |
| 2019 | Singapore Premier League | 18 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 11 | |
| 2020 | Singapore Premier League | 12 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 9 | |
| 2021 | Singapore Premier League | 15 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 7 | |
| 2022 | Singapore Premier League | 24 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 31 | 16 | |
| Total | 163 | 55 | 20 | 4 | 10 | 2 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 4 | 221 | 79 | ||
| Nongbua Pitchaya | 2022–23 | Thai League 1 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 |
| Total | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | ||
| Persebaya Surabaya | 2023–24 | Liga 1 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 1 |
| Total | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 1 | ||
| Lion City Sailors | 2024–25 | Singapore Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 188 | 57 | 20 | 4 | 10 | 2 | 22 | 14 | 7 | 4 | 246 | 81 | ||
International edit
As of match played 3 January 2023. Appearances and goals by national team and year
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Singapore | 2021 | 6 | 1 |
| 2022 | 9 | 2 | |
| 2023 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 16 | 3 | |
International goals edit
- Scores and results list Singapore's goal tally first.[24]
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 25 December 2021 | National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore |  Indonesia |
1–1 | 2–4 | 2020 AFF Championship |
| 2. | 8 June 2022 | Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan |  Kyrgyzstan |
1–0 | 1–2 | 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 3. | 14 June 2022 |  Myanmar |
2–0 | 6–2 | ||
| 4. | 12 September 2023 | Bishan Stadium, Bishan, Singapore |  Chinese Taipei |
1–1 | 3–1 | Friendly |
Honours edit
Club edit
Lion City Sailors
- Singapore Premier League: 2021; runner-up: 2013, 2018,
- Singapore Cup: 2013; runner-up: 2014, 2015
- Singapore Community Shield: 2019, 2022, 2024
Individual edit
- Singapore Premier League Team of the Year: 2018, 2020
References edit
- ^ "Song Ui-Young". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 21 November 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
- ^ "Ui-young Song". Eurosport. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
- ^ a b "An Interview with Song Ui Young". hufc.sg. Home United Football Club. Archived from the original on 31 December 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
- ^ a b c Chua, Siang Yee (8 April 2016). "Song open to the idea of playing for Singapore, Football News & Top Stories". The Straits Times. Singapore Press Holdings. Archived from the original on 12 May 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
- ^ a b c "An Interview with Song Ui Young". Home United Football Club. 5 November 2013. Archived from the original on 31 December 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
- ^ Tan, Kenneth (7 May 2016). "Singapore win Sultan of Selangor Cup on pens". ESPN FC. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 27 May 2016.
- ^ a b Ang, Ervin (15 January 2023). "Football: Singapore's Song Ui-young leaves Lion City Sailors for Thai club | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Archived from the original on 17 January 2023. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
- ^ "'I had a soldier following me wherever I went' - Inside the remarkable career of Lion City Sailors ace Song Ui-young | Goal.com Singapore". www.goal.com. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
- ^ a b Lee, David (1 November 2018). "Home United's South Korean midfielder Song Ui-young says no to US$20,000 a month". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 14 April 2019. Retrieved 14 April 2019.
- ^ Mohan, Matthew (14 February 2020). "Football: Singapore tech firm Sea takes ownership of Home United; club changes name to Lion City Sailors FC". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
- ^ Mohan, Matthew (18 April 2022). "Lion City Sailors stun K League side Daegu 3-0 in Asian Champions League clash". CNA. Archived from the original on 18 April 2022. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
- ^ Ganesan, Deepanraj (4 June 2023). "It's been crazy: Song Ui-young on reception by Indonesian fans after joining Persebaya". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 19 June 2023.
- ^ "Tatsuma names Lions squad for September". Football Association of Singapore. 27 August 2021. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
- ^ hermesauto (27 August 2021). "Football: New Singaporean Song Ui-young receives first Lions call-up". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 27 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
- ^ "Lions fall to narrow friendly defeat against Kyrgyz Republic". Football Association of Singapore. 12 November 2021. Archived from the original on 12 November 2021.
- ^ "Suzuki Cup: Eight-man Singapore out after semi-final defeat by Indonesia". The Straits Times. 25 December 2021. Archived from the original on 26 December 2021. Retrieved 26 December 2021.
- ^ "Lions suffer narrow defeat against Kyrgyz Republic - Football Association of Singapore". Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- ^ Auto, Hermes (14 June 2022). "Football: Ikhsan Fandi's first international hat-trick spurs Lions to first win under Nishigaya | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Archived from the original on 15 June 2022. Retrieved 15 June 2022.
- ^ "Song's feeling right at Home in Singapore". FourFourTwo. 4 June 2017. Archived from the original on 4 October 2018. Retrieved 22 February 2019.
- ^ "FAS' response to supporting Song Ui-young's PR application". Football Association of Singapore. 31 October 2018. Archived from the original on 5 September 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
- ^ hermesauto (31 October 2020). "Football: South Korean Song Ui-young gets Singapore PR, sets sights on playing for Lions". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ hermesauto (21 August 2021). "Football: Sailors' Korean-born midfielder Song Ui-young is now a Singaporean". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 21 August 2021. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
- ^ Song Ui-young at Soccerway. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
- ^ "Ui-young Song". National Football Teams. Archived from the original on 25 December 2021. Retrieved 25 December 2021.
External links edit
- Song Ui-young at Soccerway
- Song Ui-young at FootballDatabase.eu
- Song Ui-young on Facebook
