That Night at Kallang

by editor Wong Yang

On that warm night five years ago, Singapore found itself in a "National Day-like" atmosphere. However, it was not the birthday of our nation. People were not walking to the Padang. We were marching to the Kallang, for the Lions were to face Malaysia in the second-leg of the semi-finals in the ASEAN Football Championship (now called the AFF Suzuki Cup). Whether you were Malay or Chinese, Indian or Eurasian, we all converged on the National Stadium. 55,000 of us, waving and cheering there at Kallang. I attended the game with my younger brother, and my two friends Noah and Caleb, along with our parents. It was my first time watching a live football match at a stadium, and even though it happened five years ago, it remains a memorable one.

The Lions had dominated the first half, but the Malaysian side came out of the break playing with more conviction. Eddy Helmi had scored for the Tigers in the 57th minute, but Ridhuan equalised with 15 minutes remaining, to the delight of the home crowd. The match headed into extra time, while a cloud of anticipation hung over the Kallang Stadium. Both sides could not get the match-winner, and the match was to be decided by a penalty shootout. 1-0, then 1-1, 2-1, 2-2, 3-2, 3-3, 4-3, 4-4, 5-4. And then it came. Khyril Muhymeen stepped up to the penalty spot to take Malaysia's fifth shot. His shot was too weak, and it was saved by goalkeeper Lionel Lewis. The National Stadium erupted into frenzy, a sea of red fans in joy, strangers embracing one another, for we knew that the Lions were through to the final. That feeling of national unity at the Kallang was one to remember.

Unfortunately, that feeling went down along with the closure of the National Stadium. Loyal fans were a minority, and Singaporeans no longer backed their team when rocky roads came along. Criticism was all that filled the air. National football in Singapore had hit a dead-end, as it seemed. However, I remained hopeful. I was hoping, that as the friendship that my brother and I had with Noah and Caleb had lasted, Singaporeans' support for our football team should too. Disciplinary problems and questions over the players' lack of commitment didn't make my wish come true. A poll conducted by Yahoo! Singapore showed that most Singaporeans did not believe that the Lions could get past the group-stage of this year's Suzuki Cup. Now, Singaporeans are willing to queue to get tickets to catch the national team play because of their run in to the final four. The Facebook page of the Football Association of Singapore has gotten more "Likes", and people are finally talking about national football again. The proud Singaporean fan I am now is proud to still be the proud fan I was five years ago. I hope that regardless of the Lions' result in the final, Singaporeans can remember that warm night five years ago, and like me, keep the faith that that feeling of unity will never fade away.

This is Wong Yang, signing off in Amsterdam. Sad that I won't be able to catch both legs of the finals! Our assistant editors will publish their reports on the weekend's matches should their schedule allow them to. Thanks!

Below is a Youtube video by user stewiek of the reaction of Singaporean fans after the Lions beat Malaysia in the second-leg of the semi-finals 5 years ago.