In a tournament that has already exceeded expectations, Singapore’s men’s national soccer team finds itself in the unfamiliar position of being the talk of the town. After securing passage to the ASEAN Championship semifinals for the first time in over a decade, the Lions have ignited a level of fervor and excitement among fans not seen since their runner-up finish in the 2012 edition of Southeast Asia’s premier international soccer competition.
The buzz surrounding the team has been palpable throughout their campaign on home soil. From an opening match crowd of 12,391 for their group stage encounter with Cambodia to a near sellout of 22,611 for the crucial clash with defending champions Thailand less than a week later, the National Stadium has been rocking as Singaporeans flock to get behind their boys in red.
Ticket Demand Reaches Fever Pitch
With their place in the final four secured after a gritty 0-0 draw with arch-rivals Malaysia, the Singapore team now faces a tricky test in the form of Group B winners Vietnam for a spot in the final. And if early indications are anything to go by, the Lions will once again be able to count on raucous home support for the first leg of the tie at Jalan Besar Stadium.
No sooner had the limited 6,000 tickets been released for the colossal clash than snaking queues formed along the stadium perimeter, with diehard fans camping out overnight to secure their seats. Online scalpers quickly took advantage of the sky-high demand, hawking $49 tickets for upwards of $200. The atmosphere in the intimate confines of Jalan Besar promises to be absolutely electric come kickoff.
Coach Tsutomu Ogura Urges Perspective
Amidst the rising hype and anticipation, Lions head coach Tsutomu Ogura has been a calming presence, urging his squad to stay grounded and focus on the task at hand. The cerebral Japanese tactician, known for his process-driven approach, insists that nothing has changed from his pre-tournament stance of taking each game as it comes.
“I’ve always answered that we will take it game by game. Now, we get to play a fifth and 6th game. If possible, we’ll try to win our way through to a 7th and 8th game.”
– Tsutomu Ogura, Singapore national team coach
Rather than get carried away by the prospect of what could be, Ogura prefers to draw confidence from what he sees on the training ground on a daily basis. “One thing I will say is that, now, our players are training and playing with enjoyment,” he shared, sounding every bit the wise schoolmaster.
Players Grateful for Unwavering Support
The players themselves have been quick to recognize the role the fans have played in carrying them to heights not reached in years. Striker Abdul Rasaq Akeem, one of the standout performers for the Lions, spoke of the team’s gratitude and desire to repay the faith shown in them.
“We’re grateful for the support from all the fans since the start of the competition. We heard of people queuing from the day before. We appreciate the support and, tomorrow, we’re going to need all of them more than ever.”
– Abdul Rasaq Akeem, Singapore national team striker
Akeem and his teammates know full well the monumental challenge that awaits them against a talented Vietnam squad that breezed through the group stage with 11 goals scored and just two conceded. However, the Lions have demonstrated a resoluteness and fighting spirit that has endeared them to fans old and new.
- Singapore looks to spring another surprise against heavily favored Vietnam
- Home field advantage could prove decisive in two-leg semifinal format
- Lions aiming to reach ASEAN Championship final for the first time since 2012
As the soccer-mad city-state gears up for yet another night of high drama and raw emotion, Coach Ogura’s parting words serve as a timely reminder of the magic that can happen when a team and its fans unite in pursuit of a common cause. Win, lose, or draw, this Singapore side has already achieved something special by helping supporters reconnect with the beautiful game in a way not seen for some time. And they are far from done yet.
