Elijah Lim Teck Yong[1][2] (born 8 May 2001) is a Singaporean professional footballer currently playing as a midfielder for Singapore Premier League club Balestier Khalsa. Able to play in wide positions, Elijah has appeared as a central midfielder, left midfielder and left winger in his career, making him a versatile player.

Elijah Lim
Elijah playing for Young Lions in 2023
Personal information
Full name Elijah Lim Teck Yong
Date of birth (2001-05-08) 8 May 2001 (age 23)
Place of birth Singapore
Position(s) Winger, midfielder
Team information
Current team
Balestier Khalsa
Number 49
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018-2019 Tampines Rovers 2 (0)
2020 Balestier Khalsa 5 (0)
2021–2023 Geylang International 13 (0)
2022–2023 Young Lions 28 (3)
2023– Balestier Khalsa 0 (0)
International career
2023– Singapore U23 4 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22 April 2023

Club career

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Youth

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Elijah studied at the Singapore Sports School where he play for the school team. In 2016, he was chosen for a week-long training stint with Japanese club, Matsumoto Yamaga where he trained with the academies players.[3][4]

Tampines Rovers

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On 3 January 2018, Elijah signed his first professional contract with Singapore Premier League club, Tampines Rovers from Singapore Sports School.[5]

Balestier Khalsa

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Elijah signed with Balestier Khalsa at the start of the 2020 Singapore Premier League season but only made 5 appearances before having his contract mutually terminated due to COVID-19.[6]

Geylang International

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Elijah signed with Geylang International ahead of the 2021 Singapore Premier League season.[6] He had a 37% tackle rate for his team in the Singapore Premier League, the highest in Geylang.[7][6]

He soon left the club in September 2021 to serve national service.[8]

Young Lions

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Elijah then joined Young Lions ahead of the 2022 Singapore Premier League season where he also underwent his compulsory National Service. He scored his first goal for the Young Lions in a 4–4 draw against his former club,Balestier Khalsa, with the goal also being his first professional goal in his career.[9][10] Elijah came close to scoring again in a 2–2 draw to Brunei DPMM during the 2023 season but saw the ball rebound off the crossbar. During the 4–3 defeat to Tanjong Pagar United,[11] Lim was involved with all 3 goals scored by the Young Lions as he scored two goals from close range and was integral in the build up to the third goal. However his team came short as they lost in dramatic fashion to a late goal.[12][13]

He departed the team following his completion of national service and remained as a free agent until October.

Return to Balestier Khalsa

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On 19 October 2023, Balestier Khalsa announced the return of Elijah to the club which he will don the number 49.[14]

International career

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Youth

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Elijah made his Singapore U23 debut in a 1–0 lost to Hong Kong in the 2023 Merlion Cup. Elijah was then selected for the 25-man preliminary squad for the upcoming 2023 SEA Games later in the year.[15]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of 23 May 2021.[16]
Club Season League Cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Tampines Rovers 2018 Singapore Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2019 Singapore Premier League 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Total 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Balestier Khalsa 2020 Singapore Premier League 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5 0
Geylang International 2021 Singapore Premier League 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 13 0
Young Lions 2022 Singapore Premier League 13 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 16 1
2023 Singapore Premier League 15 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 2
Total 28 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 31 3
Balestier Khalsa 2023 Singapore Premier League 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Career total 49 3 4 0 0 0 0 0 53 3

Notes

International statistics

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U23 International caps

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No Date Venue Opponent Result Competition
1 24 March 2023 Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore   Hong Kong 0–1 (lost) Friendly
2 29 April 2023 Prince Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia   Thailand 1–3 (lost) 2023 SEA Games
3 3 May 2023 Prince Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia   Vietnam 1–3 (lost) 2023 SEA Games
4 6 May 2023 Prince Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia   Laos 0–0 (draw) 2023 SEA Games
5 11 May 2023 Prince Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia   Malaysia 0-7 (lost) 2023 SEA Games

Honours

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Tampines Rovers

References

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  1. ^ "Elijah Lim Teck Yong". www.teamsingapore.sg. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Singapore - E. Lim - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  3. ^ "NFA six shine in two friendlies in Japan".
  4. ^ "National Football Academy U-14 players, Nur Adam Abdullah, Elijah Lim and Hamizan Hisham, who are in Japan for a training stint with J-League side Matsumoto Yamaga FC". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  5. ^ "New Signinga | We would like to welcome Zakri Ee, Hamizan Hisham and Elijah Lim to the club!". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
  6. ^ a b c Jayakumar, Vikram (19 June 2021). "Electric Elijah! Meet Geylang International's Spark in Midfield". SoccerKakis. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  7. ^ "😤 𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 tackles in the #SPL so far:". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 30 March 2024.
  8. ^ "All the best to Wayne Chew, Harith Kanadi, Elijah Lim and Nur Luqman who will serve Singapore 🇸🇬 in national service soon 💚". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Singapore Premier League - 😃 A 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 ever professional goal for Elijah Lim #SPL Young Lions | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  10. ^ "😃 A 𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙨𝙩 ever professional goal for Elijah Lim #SPL". www.twitter.com. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  11. ^ Jaguars BACK on a VICTORY trail! | 2023 SPL: Young Lions vs Tanjong Pagar United, retrieved 1 August 2023
  12. ^ "2023 Singapore Premier League Matchweek 15: Roundup - Football Association of Singapore". spl.sg. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  13. ^ "HALF-TIME Young Lions 3-1 Tanjong Pagar #SPL". www.twitter.com. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
  14. ^ "Welcome to Balestier Khalsa Football Club, Elijah Lim!!". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  15. ^ "Football Association of Singapore - The 25 in the provisional Under-22 squad for the upcoming SEA Games". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  16. ^ Elijah Lim at Soccerway. Retrieved 3 February 2021.