Lions dedicate historic Asian Cup qualification to Singapore

SINGAPORE – On a rare night where Singapore football managed to galvanise a nation, a wave of patriotism swept over the 155th-ranked Lions and the nation’s football fans as the team came from behind to beat Hong Kong 2-1 away to seal a maiden Asian Cup qualification.

Substitute Ilhan Fandi, who turned the game around in four second-half minutes during his 28-minute cameo before hobbling off with an ankle injury, said: “Everyone who was involved gave their all. I’m just a player, I just try and do my job.

“Before I came in, I knew that I could change the game, and Alhamdulillah (Arabic for praise be to God), I did it. I’m so proud of the boys and to everyone back home, this one’s for you. It’s been a long journey, and I think it’s something the whole country can be proud of. I’m just very proud to be Singaporean.”

Just like their dramatic win in front of a 47,762-strong crowd – with about 2,000 Singapore supporters – at the Kai Tak Stadium, Singapore started their Asian Cup qualifying campaign on the back foot with a 0-0 home draw against world No. 148 Hong Kong in March when they had two goals harshly ruled out for a foul and offside.

Though they got back on track with a 2-1 win at 183rd-ranked Bangladesh in June, they dropped another two points at home when they let in a last-minute equaliser in the 1-1 draw against world No. 136 India in October, which allowed Hong Kong to move ahead of them and top Group C.

With only the group winners advancing to the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, Singapore realistically had to beat India away and stay in the hunt.

They showed great grit to bounce back from conceding the opener in Goa to win 2-1, before repeating the trick against Hong Kong, putting their bodies on the line and riding their luck to defend their lead to create history.

Japan-born playmaker Kyoga Nakamura said: “It was a really tough game, and we were under a lot of pressure. We suffered, went through obstacles and sacrificed a lot, but finally we make it here and created history.

“What a great atmosphere and what a moment! I’m really happy to win this game and help Singapore qualify for the Asian Cup.”

There have been some revered coaches in the history of Singapore football, such as Choo Seng Quee with his Malaysia Cup exploits, Barry Whitbread who delivered the nation’s first international silverware at the 1998 Tiger Cup, and Radojko Avramovic the mastermind of three Asean titles.

And now, 35-year-old Gavin Lee will join them despite being “only” an interim head coach who stepped up after Tsutomu Ogura unexpectedly vacated his role in June due to personal reasons.

Despite being regarded as a calming influence and making substitutions that paid off against Hong Kong, he modestly shrugged off suggestions that he should take credit. Instead, he thanked his predecessor and everyone in team who “made my life very, very easy from the get-go”.

Lee, who was born in 1990 like Izwan Mahbud and Hariss Harun but went down the coaching path after realising he was not good enough as a player, said: “I’m just so happy for everyone involved, all the players and staff, and the administrators. What we achieved tonight is a consequence of everybody pulling together.

“At half-time – I’m just going to bore you – it’s about calmness, it’s not to get tense. We had a plan and leading up the game, we have been speaking about how football is not perfect, just like life.

“And if sh*t hits the fan, it’s our job to react and deal with it, and as long as we stay in the game, then we always know that we have quality players to help us to finish the game.

“The senior boys – Izwan, Safuwan (Baharudin), Hariss – they actually made me cry. And the staff, you should see how much it means to everyone... None of this would also have been possible if not for the PE teachers, the youth coaches in the past.

“So this milestone that we’ve achieved is for everyone, it’s for Singapore, it’s not just for me or the national team. So, hopefully, everybody in Singapore tonight will have a nice sleep.”

As some of the Lions sank to their knees and wept at the realisation that their dream has become reality, around 500 fans – comprising families and supporters of all ages – filled the Festive Plaza at Our Tampines Hub with cheers during the watch party more than 2,600km away.

Callum Pereira, 26, said: “I’m feeling good just watching the boys get out there and do their thing. They were working hard, and it makes me proud to be Singaporean. Seeing everybody stand up and sing the national anthem so proudly was a good reminder of what it means to be Singaporean.”

Basil Lee, 25, said: “Growing up, we felt the Singapore team were really good but somehow along the way, we lost our mojo and lost our way, and it’s been disappointment after disappointment. But now, qualifying for this Asian Cup is a massive thing that will inspire a whole new generation of fans.”

Ogura, who is back in Japan, offered his congratulations, saying: “The history of Singapore football has changed!”. Avramovic also sent his congratulations from Serbia and wished the team good luck for the Asian Cup.

On social media, President Tharman Shanmugaratnam led the tributes, thanking the Lions for making history and “for skilful team play and guts in front of an overwhelming home crowd at Kai Tak Stadium”.

Acting Minister for Culture, Community and Youth David Neo posted a video of him congratulating the team in the dressing room.

He wrote: “Over the past five matches, our Lions were all heart. To Singapore fans everywhere, let’s give our Lions the fullest support in our road to Asian Cup!”

– Additional reporting by Joel Chang