Roar Unleashed

In the greatest night for Singapore football; the Lions defied all the odds with a dramatic come-from-behind 2-1 victory over hosts Hong Kong to qualify for the Asian Cup 2027 in Saudi Arabia. It did not start that well for them though; as Everton Camargo's cross from the right was headed home by star striker Matt Orr to send the home fans into a rapture.

This Singapore team is made of sterner stuff though; and after staying patient with some controlled possession; their moment arrived in the second half. Ilhan Fandi; the third of the Fandi siblings and brought on for the fading Glenn Kweh; came up big for the away side; first knocking an intuitive volleyed pass for Shawal Anuar to prod home; before firing a sudden left-foot shot that took the HK goalkeeper by surprise.

I think it was a mistake for Ashley Westwood to play 41-year old goalkeeper Wang Zhenpeng for this one. He only has 8 caps; looked nervous and was basically at fault for both goals. His substitutes also did not have the desired effect; with some harried play and poor touches costing them deep in the game. On the other hand; Singapore played their game to perfection; with players working hard for one another; and their backline of Hariss Harun & Safuwan Baharudin in perfect tandem.

Quah Kim Song can rest easy now. Singapore have arrived.