The Singapore Spirit

2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers

ASIA 2nd Round

Videos and Pictures:

1st Leg

Singapore National Anthem - Majulah Singapura!

News-Singapore beats Malaysia 5-3

Singapore 5-3 Malaysia Full Highlights

2nd Leg

THE SINGAPORE SPIRIT

(2 Articles)

An Unforgettable Night at Jalan Besar

"I Watch, I Share" Article

Singapore 5-3 Malaysia (1st Leg)

Exclusive Article

by Senior Editor Wong Yang

"Majulah Singapura!" As the strains of Singapore's National Anthem faded away, resounding cheers from the sea of red erupted.

"Beep!" The referee blew his whistle, and the game was underway. The Malaysians scored an early goal just 27 seconds into the game through Safa Salee. The Lions fought back and striker Aleksandar Duric flicked home a 6th-minute free-kick. Then, Qiu Li swerved a free kick which ended up in the back of the net in the 22nd minute. Mustafic Fahrudin made it 3-1 just before the break and Shi Jiayi extended Singapore's advantage after he received Duric's cross from the right. The 1st half ended with the Singapore fans roaring.

Moments after the 2nd half commenced, captain Safiq Rahim's frustration got the better of him and he was shown the red card for a challenge on Harris Harun. However, Singapore's right-back Ismail Yunos was sent off too for a second booking. Malaysia soon clawed their way back to just one goal away from their tough opponents when Abdul Hadi Yahya scored in the 70th minute before Safa Salee slotted the ball home for his second goal. Then, Duric bagged his second goal and Singapore's fifth just before the final whistle to seal the game.

It was a proud moment. A proud moment for all Singaporean fans, who were waving the flags, shouting "Singapore!" and, in unison, standing behind their team, their Lions! A gift, an early National Day gift indeed!

Pride of Lions

"I Watch, I Share" Article

Malaysia 1-1 Singapore (2nd Leg)

Singapore win 6-4 on aggregate

Exclusive Article

by Senior Editor Wong Yang

Intimidation. 85,000 Malaysian fans. The throwing of bottles and setting of explosives, the relentless chanting of the fans in yellow. It was a hostile crowd. My heart was beating furiously. My family gathered around the television, and could hear the Malaysian fans singing and shouting. "Malaya, Malaya!" instead of "Singapore, Singapore!". There was tremendous pressure on our Lions. Could they bring back the Kallang Roar that the Malaysia Cup had seen?

Defense. Defense. The Singapore players sacrificed their bodies and did all they could to stop the Malaysians from scoring. There was a good defense back there to fall back on in the 1st half. Goal-saving blocks and crucial tackles by both sides showed their commitment. It ended 0-0 in the 1st half, with the Malaysians frustrated.

At the start of the 2nd half, the Tigers looked stronger, hungrier than ever before. They wanted to win. They wanted to bring glory to Malaysia. S. Kunalan threaded a pass through to striker SafeeSali, who comfortably put the ball past Singapore goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud. "Goal!" The Malaysian fans became wild and celebrated the goal. Just one more goal and they could win the clash. It was an intense moments for our Lions. One goal could change everything.

Hero! Hero! Shi Jiayi glided past his markers, and for Singapore, slotted the ball past Malaysia's goalkeeper after Aleksandar Duric headed down a long ball into his path. Bukit Jalil and its Malaysian fans were silenced. Only the Singaporeans in the stadium were screaming, screaming for their one and only Lions. My family and I went berserk.

"Beep! Beep! Beep!" The final whistle pierced the air.

At a time when Singapore football was at its low, at a time when they had suffered early exits in several important competitions leaving fans disillusioned, and after the national side was disbanded, this was what we needed, to lift our spirits, to make us believe in our team again. 

The glory days might be back, the dark clouds might have disappeared, the storm might be over. The sky has cleared, and we are on a new journey.

The players played with commitment, with teamwork, and pride. They gave their all and did their best, sliding for tackles, getting into the tiny space that they might be able to receive the ball at, they showed that they were true Lions - strong, resilient and proud. The fans too, exhibited the same values, standing behind teams in bad times and good times.

It was truly, the Singapore Spirit!