Gabriel Quak Jun Yi (Chinese: 郭俊谊, born 22 December 1990) is a Singaporean professional footballer who plays mainly as a winger for Singapore Premier League club Hougang United. Considered one of the best wingers in the country, he is known for his skills, speed and ability to dribble past opponents quickly.

Gabriel Quak
Gabriel Quak in 2018
Personal information
Full name Gabriel Quak Jun Yi[1]
Date of birth (1990-12-22) 22 December 1990 (age 33)
Place of birth Singapore
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Winger
Team information
Current team
Hougang United
Number 22
Youth career
National Football Academy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2011 Young Lions 66 (5)
2012–2015 LionsXII 80 (10)
2016–2017 Geylang International 47 (6)
2018 Royal Thai Navy 13 (3)
2019 Warriors 23 (9)
2020–2022 Lion City Sailors 59 (29)
2023— Hougang United 23 (6)
International career
2013 Singapore U23 5 (2)
2013–2022 Singapore 40 (6)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Singapore
Sea Games
Bronze medal – third place Vientiane 2009 Football
Bronze medal – third place Naypyidaw 2013 Football
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 29 May 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 14 June 2022

Club career

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Young Lions

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Gabriel began his professional football career with Young Lions in the 2008 S.League season. On 19 February, he make his professional debut coming on a substitution in a match against Sengkang Punggol. Gabriel scored his first career goal in a 3–1 lost against Super Reds on 26 May.

Gabriel was one of the Young Lions players involved in an on-pitch fight with Beijing Guoan Talent players in their S.League match on 7 September 2010. He was charged by the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) for gross misconduct and bringing the game into disrepute and was banned for four months and fined S$1,000 for his part in the brawl.[2] Quak missed the 2010 Asian Games as a result of the ban.

LionsXII

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On 5 December 2011, the FAS announced that Gabriel was to join the newly formed LionsXII for the 2012 Malaysia Super League. National service commitments however meant that Quak failed to make a single appearance throughout the 2012 season.[3] He was de-registered in the mid-season transfer window.

Gabriel returned to the LionsXII squad for the 2013 season. He made his long-awaited debut against PKNS on 15 January.[4] He made 15 appearances in all competitions as the Lions won the 2013 Malaysia Super League.

 
Quak playing for LionsXII in 2013

The left-footed Gabriel was switched to the right side of attack for both club and country for the 2014 season.[5] He scored his first LionsXII goal in a 3–0 win over DRB-Hicom in the Malaysia FA Cup on 21 January. He scored his first league goal, an opener against newly promoted side PDRM FA, as Lionsxii defeated them 5–3.[6]

On the opening day of the 2015 season, Gabriel scored the Lionsxii's first goal of the season, helping the Lionsxii win their opening match 5–3 against PDRM FA.[7] Similarly, in the LionsXII's opening game in the Malaysia FA Cup on 28 February, Gabriel scored the 3rd goal in a 4–0 win against minnows Kedah United to push the LionsXII into the round of 16.[8] In the round of 16, Gabriel scored a goal against SPA in a 4–0 win to send the team to the quarter-finals. He helped LionsXII to win the 2015 Malaysia FA Cup.

Geylang International

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Following the dissolution of the LionsXII, Gabriel signed for Geylang International in January 2016. He make his debut on 15 February in the Eastern Derby match against Tampines Rovers in a 3–3 match. On 1 April, he scored his first goal for the club in a 2–2 league match against Warriors FC, ending a long goalscoring drought.

Matsumoto Yamaga trial

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After Geylang International and Matsumoto Yamaga signed a MOU,[9] Quak together with fellow winger Shawal Anuar went on a one-week trial with the J2 League side.[10] However, he was not signed by the club because he failed to impress.

Royal Thai Navy

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On 2 February 2018,Gabriel signs for Thai League 1 side Royal Thai Navy and fill up their ASEAN import slot ahead of the In the upcoming 2018 season. On 11 February, Gabriel made his starting debut against Ubon UMT United. He started as the 1st eleven in the 1st 2 matches but was substituted at half time in both matches.[11][12] Gabriel scored his first goal for the club in a 3–2 thriller win against Sukhothai

In total, Gabriel scored 4 goals and created 1 assist in 24 games for the Thai side which were relegated eventually.[13]

Warriors FC

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In January 2019, Gabriel signed for Warriors FC for the 2019 season despite receiving lucrative offers from overseas club in order to spend more time with his young family.[13] During the 2019 Singapore Cup, Warriors' captain Khairul Nizam was injured and Gabriel took over the captaincy for the competition.[14]

Lion City Sailors

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In January 2020, Gabriel joined the newly privatised Singapore club, Lion City Sailors. He make his debut for the club in a league match against Tanjong Pagar United where he assisted Andy Pengelly in a 1–1 draw.

In 2021, Gabriel won the league 'Goal of the Year' for his volley goal in the 4–1 win over Balestier Khalsa on 18 April during the FAS Awards Night.[15]

On 15 April 2022, Gabriel make his AFC Champions League debut against eventual winners from Japan, Urawa Red Diamonds in a 4–1 lost. On 24 April, he provided an assist to Pedro Henrique in a 3–2 win over Chinese side Shandong Taishan. Gabriel was then released by Lion City Sailors on 28 November 2022.[16] He departed after scoring 29 goals across three seasons for the Sailors, as well as winning the Singapore Premier League 'Player of the Year' award in 2020.[16]

Hougang United

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Following his release from Lion City Sailors, Gabrel signed for Hougang United on 18 January 20232 to boost the range of attacking options in head coach Firdaus Kassim's squad. The 32-year-old joins his fifth Singapore Premier League club in his 11th SPL season. On 19 April 2024, he extended his contract until the end of the 2024–25 season.

International career

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Youth

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Gabriel has played for Singapore at Under-15, Under-18 and Under-23 levels. He represented Singapore in the Lion City Cup, AFF U15 Tournament, Asian Youth Games Qualifiers, AFC U18 Qualifiers, VFF Cup and Southeast Asian Games.[17]

Senior

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Gabriel earned his first international cap in a friendly match against Laos on 7 June 2013, scoring a goal on his debut.[18] His first competitive goal came in an upset 2–1 win over Syria in a 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification match on 15 October 2013. He is the first Singapore-born Chinese player to feature regularly for the national team in 7 years since Goh Tat Chuan despite the ethnic Chinese forming the majority of the population.[19]

Gabriel scored a goal and recorded an assist during the 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification match in a 6–2 over Myanmar.

Others

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Singapore Selection Squad

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He was selected as part of the Singapore Selection squad for The Sultan of Selangor’s Cup to be held on 6 May 2017.[20]

Personal life

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Gabriel was born on 22 December 1990 to Alan, a technical associate at a building consultancy and Juet May, an early childhood educator in 1990.[21] He has a younger sister, Gu Ting.

Gabriel received his primary school education at Catholic High School and went to Guangyang Secondary School. He graduated with a diploma in Industrial and Operations Management from Republic Polytechnic.[22][23]

Gabriel is married and has three children.[24][14]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 17 Aug 22. Caps and goals may not be correct.[25]


Club Season S.League Singapore Cup Singapore
League Cup
Asia Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Young Lions 2008 26 2 - - - - 26 2
2009 20 2 - - - - 20 2
2010 15 0 - - 18 0 33 0
2011 5 1 5 1
Total 66 5 0 0 18 0 0 0 84 5
Club Season Malaysia
Super League
Malaysia
FA Cup
Malaysia Cup Asia Total
LionsXII 2012[26] 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2013[27] 11 0 1 0 3 0 15 0
2014[28] 9 0 2 1 0 0 11 1
2015 3 1 1 1 0 0 4 2
Total 23 1 4 2 3 0 0 0 30 3
Club Season S.League Singapore Cup Singapore
League Cup
Asia Total
Geylang International 2016 23 4 3 0 0 0 26 4
2017 24 2 1 0 3 1 28 3
Total 47 6 4 0 3 1 0 0 54 7
Club Season Thai League 1 Thai FA Cup Thai League Cup Asia Total
Navy 2018 13 3 1 1 1 0 15 4
Total 13 3 1 1 1 0 0 0 15 4
Club Season Singapore
Premier League
Singapore Cup Singapore
League Cup
Asia Total
Warriors 2019 23 9 6 2 0 0 29 11
Total 23 9 6 2 0 0 0 0 29 11
Lion City Sailors 2020 14 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 5
2021 21 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 21 13
2022 24 11 3 0 0 0 4 0 31 11
Total 59 29 3 0 0 0 4 0 66 29
Hougang United 2023 23 6 0 0 1 0 0 0 24 6
Total 23 6 0 0 1 0 0 0 24 6
Career total 254 59 18 5 26 0 4 0 302 64
  • Young Lions and LionsXII are ineligible for qualification to AFC competitions in their respective leagues.
  • Young Lions withdrew from the Singapore Cup and Singapore League Cup in 2011 due to scheduled participation in the 2011 AFF U-23 Youth Championship.

International statistics

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International goals

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Scores and results list Singapore's goal tally first.[29]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 7 June 2013 New Laos National Stadium, Vientiane, Laos   Laos 4–2 5–2 Friendly
2. 15 October 2013 Jalan Besar Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore   Syria 2–0 2–1 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualification
3. 12 October 2018 Bishan Stadium, Jalan Besar, Singapore   Mongolia 2–0 2–0 Friendly
4. 9 June 2019 National Stadium, Kallang, Singapore   Solomon Islands 3–3 4–3
5. 11 June 2019   Myanmar 1–1 1–2
6. 14 June 2022 Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan   Myanmar 2–0 6–2 2023 AFC Asian Cup qualification

U22 International goals

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Scores and results list Singapore's goal tally first.[29]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 17 November 2011 Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia   Thailand 1–0 2-0 (won) 2011 Southeast Asian Games

U19 International goals

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Scores and results list Singapore's goal tally first.[29]
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 5 August 2007 Thanh Long Sports Center, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam   Myanmar 1–2 1-2 (lost) 2007 AFF U-20 Youth Championship
Singapore national team
Year Apps Goals
2013 4 2
2014 5 0
2015 5 0
2016 8 0
2017 0 0
2018 2 1
Total 24 3

Statistics accurate as of match played 12 October 2018

Honours

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Club

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LionsXII

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Lion City Sailors

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International

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Singapore

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Individual

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References

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  1. ^ "FAS names 2014 LionsXII squad list". LionsXII. Archived from the original on 19 October 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2014.
  2. ^ "Young Lions, Beijing Guoan players banned, fined". AsiaOne. Archived from the original on 25 September 2010. Retrieved 15 March 2014.
  3. ^ "Quak's raring to go in Season 2". The New Paper. 2 January 2013. Archived from the original on 6 March 2014.
  4. ^ "Selangor PKNS 1–0 LionsXII: Listless Lions fall to first defeat of season". Goal. Archived from the original on 6 March 2013. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  5. ^ "Gabriel aims to continue scoring". LionsXII. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  6. ^ "Ruthless Lions march on to FA Cup second round". LionsXII. Archived from the original on 6 March 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  7. ^ "Singapore LIONSXII 5 - 3 PDRM Match report - 2/7/15 Super League - Goal.com". www.goal.com. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  8. ^ "Malaysia FA Cup: Fandi fires up LionsXII".
  9. ^ "Geylang International FC signs MOU with Matsumoto Yamaga FC". mynewsdesk.com. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  10. ^ "Eye-opener for Quak and Shawal in Japan". tnp.sg. 2 February 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  11. ^ "Chonburi vs Navy". Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  12. ^ "Navy vs Ubon UMT". Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  13. ^ a b hermesauto (1 March 2019). "Football: Three players to watch in the 2019 Singapore Premier League". The Straits Times. Retrieved 3 March 2019.
  14. ^ a b Auto, Hermes (13 December 2020). "Football: Not satisfied with Player of the Year award, Gabriel Quak eyes more trophies | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 10 January 2023.
  15. ^ a b Auto, Hermes (12 October 2021). "Football: Hougang win big at FAS Awards Night as Tomoyuki Doi and Clement Teo named best player and coach | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  16. ^ a b "Football: Stars, key backroom staff depart Lion City Sailors | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. 28 November 2022.
  17. ^ "Quak Jun Yi – Football". TeamSingapore.com.sg. Archived from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 12 May 2013.
  18. ^ "Wing wonders Quak and Faris looking to cement national team spots". Football Association of Singapore. Archived from the original on 15 June 2013. Retrieved 30 May 2013.
  19. ^ "More Chinese and Indian football players wanted". The Straits Times. 10 November 2013.
  20. ^ "SINGAPORE SELECTION SQUAD FOR THE SULTAN OF SELANGOR'S CUP REVEALED - The Football Association of Singapore". www.fas.org.sg. Archived from the original on 28 June 2017. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  21. ^ "Gabriel's wish? A place in the first XI". The New Paper. 26 December 2011. Archived from the original on 15 October 2013.
  22. ^ "Quak Eyes 2014 Step Up As LionsXII Senior". FootballOpod. Archived from the original on 17 March 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  23. ^ "Rapport – Republic Polytechnic corporate newsletter (January 2009)" (PDF). Republic Polytechnic. p. 15. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 March 2014. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  24. ^ "Engaged, for the new year". The New Paper. 1 February 2014. Archived from the original on 17 March 2014.
  25. ^ Gabriel Quak at Soccerway. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  26. ^ "LionsXII fixtures and results for 2012 season". LionsXII. Archived from the original on 29 July 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  27. ^ "LionsXII fixtures and results for 2013 season". LionsXII. Archived from the original on 16 February 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  28. ^ "LionsXII fixtures and results for 2014 season". LionsXII. Archived from the original on 9 March 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  29. ^ a b c "Quak, Gabriel". National Football Teams. Retrieved 18 October 2018.
  30. ^ "Gabriel Quak named SPL Player of the Year at FAS Awards Night 2020 – Football Association of Singapore". Retrieved 30 July 2021.
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