No 1 Team Singapore Supporter
Just now I went to watch Singapore play China at National Stadium. It was a Asian Cup Qualifier and the winner of the match will have a high chance of qualifying to the finals next year. I had watched Singapore's 2-1 victory over Iraq few months ago and Shahid jio-ed me to go this time again.
Our usual practice would be turning up at the stadium at match day to get the tickets. Most of the matches didn't attract large crowds and we would be inside the stadium within minutes. However when we arrived at the stadium at 7.10pm the queues were already unbelieveable. They stretched from the turnstiles to the steps and it took us like 35 minutes before we could get our tickets.
About 20 minutes of the match had passed by the time we found seats. The first memorable incident of the match was China's right back no 13 fell to the ground after clash of head with a Singaporean player. No 13 rolled on the ground for about 3 minutes as if he was shot. However once he was stretchered off he immediately sprang up to his feet. The medics must have some super healing power. No 13 instantly became our favourite player and he always received a 'warm' reception from the Singaporean fans whenever he touched the ball.
China admittedly was the better team but Singapore withstood their pressure stoutly. The defence was disciplined and luck played a good part too. Despite some misjudgement of crosses, Lionel Lewis was immense throughout with a brillant save off a header (a la Buffon) as well as parrying away a free kick destined for the goal. We had a goal rightfully disallowed for handball and someone should be at the end of Itimi's cross in the second half. However it was a good performace which kept alive our hopes of qualifying for the Asian Cup finals.
The turnout today was surprising good. I estimated the crowd to be between 30,000 to 35,000 with approximately one quarter to one third of them supporting the away side. Both the West and East stand were filled with the Chinese supporters mainly at the grandstand. The West stand were mainly Singaporeans but there were pockets of Chinese fans there as well. Some of them tried to be funny and walked around with flags on their backs. It wasn't the wisest thing to do and many home fans boo-ed them.
I'm not going into a China-bashing session but we had a lot of fun kaopeh-ing at stadium. Regardless of race, language or religion we would all just boo whenever the ref's decisions went against us and cheer when we had a goal-scoring chance. While we don't usually exhibit our patriotism, we brought all these feelings to the stadium. All the nationalist feelings were let out despite it being only a game of football. Football is really one amazing sport.
It was really a coincidence that I met 2 guys from my camp. I saw Wallace while queueing up for the tickets and Toh actually sat behind me throughout the match. What a small world after all. Kendrick and Ho Teck were very late and could only catch the last 25 minutes but it still didn't kill their enthusiasm. It was also the last time that Jeremy could see the mighty Lions play. I'm sure that he will miss them.
Singapore will be playing Palestine on 15/11 for the final match of the qualifiers. It may be a crunch match for us if we can defeat Iraq away. I think I will be there since I had watched the previous 2 home qualifiers. Actually I'm making plans to watch the finals if we qualify. So is anyone interested to join me?
Our usual practice would be turning up at the stadium at match day to get the tickets. Most of the matches didn't attract large crowds and we would be inside the stadium within minutes. However when we arrived at the stadium at 7.10pm the queues were already unbelieveable. They stretched from the turnstiles to the steps and it took us like 35 minutes before we could get our tickets.
About 20 minutes of the match had passed by the time we found seats. The first memorable incident of the match was China's right back no 13 fell to the ground after clash of head with a Singaporean player. No 13 rolled on the ground for about 3 minutes as if he was shot. However once he was stretchered off he immediately sprang up to his feet. The medics must have some super healing power. No 13 instantly became our favourite player and he always received a 'warm' reception from the Singaporean fans whenever he touched the ball.
China admittedly was the better team but Singapore withstood their pressure stoutly. The defence was disciplined and luck played a good part too. Despite some misjudgement of crosses, Lionel Lewis was immense throughout with a brillant save off a header (a la Buffon) as well as parrying away a free kick destined for the goal. We had a goal rightfully disallowed for handball and someone should be at the end of Itimi's cross in the second half. However it was a good performace which kept alive our hopes of qualifying for the Asian Cup finals.
The turnout today was surprising good. I estimated the crowd to be between 30,000 to 35,000 with approximately one quarter to one third of them supporting the away side. Both the West and East stand were filled with the Chinese supporters mainly at the grandstand. The West stand were mainly Singaporeans but there were pockets of Chinese fans there as well. Some of them tried to be funny and walked around with flags on their backs. It wasn't the wisest thing to do and many home fans boo-ed them.
I'm not going into a China-bashing session but we had a lot of fun kaopeh-ing at stadium. Regardless of race, language or religion we would all just boo whenever the ref's decisions went against us and cheer when we had a goal-scoring chance. While we don't usually exhibit our patriotism, we brought all these feelings to the stadium. All the nationalist feelings were let out despite it being only a game of football. Football is really one amazing sport.
It was really a coincidence that I met 2 guys from my camp. I saw Wallace while queueing up for the tickets and Toh actually sat behind me throughout the match. What a small world after all. Kendrick and Ho Teck were very late and could only catch the last 25 minutes but it still didn't kill their enthusiasm. It was also the last time that Jeremy could see the mighty Lions play. I'm sure that he will miss them.
Singapore will be playing Palestine on 15/11 for the final match of the qualifiers. It may be a crunch match for us if we can defeat Iraq away. I think I will be there since I had watched the previous 2 home qualifiers. Actually I'm making plans to watch the finals if we qualify. So is anyone interested to join me?
posted by shyh jie at 12:42 AM
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