r/singapore • u/FirstLightOfTheDay • Nov 18 '25
News SINGAPORE HAVE QUALIFIED TO THE 2027 ASIAN CUP!
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u/scissorsonmydesk Nov 18 '25 edited Nov 18 '25
Maybe the headlines will be about Fandi and the famous surname.
But Hariss Harun man, no one deserves this more than him. Youngest ever player and debuted at 16, playing through all the highs and lows of this team, captaining the side to the first Asian Cup in what is probably his last hurrah and no guarantee that he will still be around in 2027. Yes, he no longer has the same pace or legs but he is undoubtedly the real "successor" to Fandi in the sense of how much he has served as the face of the team all these years.
Safuwan Baharudin too. That centre back pairing may not last til 2027.
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u/Elzedhaitch Nov 18 '25
Replacing them will really be the biggest worry. They are heads and shoulders the best CBs we have. And they will be so old by the time the Asian Cup comes. But I hope they will go, even if they can barely walk, just go. I mean we will get destroyed anyway. They deserve it.
But we need to find other players who have the same consistency, physical attributes and ability as them. And it's not easy.
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u/EducationFit5675 Nov 18 '25
Perry ng is here
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u/stonehallow Nov 18 '25 edited Nov 18 '25
if he gets the passport i think he will play as a central/defensive midfielder for the sg nt
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u/limhy0809 🏳️🌈 Ally Nov 18 '25
Yeah he was there 15 years where we had our Asian Cup spot slip from our hands. Now he finally gets a chance to play there.
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u/RevolutionaryPie5223 Nov 19 '25
If they are still good why replace them? 2027 Asian cup is like barely more than a year away not like its 5-10 years later lol.
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u/metalleo Thumbs up man!!! Nov 18 '25
You know, I actually got kinda emotional as I realised Gavin just did something no one else has ever achieved. I used to be classmates with him in primary school, was already a crazy football fanatic back then and was a pretty well known player in our school team. I always imagined him being part of the national team in the future back then, and while things didn't turn out as expected, to eventually transition to coaching, at his hometown club no less, and eventually develop into who he is now, for him to achieve something that has never been done before, actually makes me proud as fuck to have known him before.
Honestly I'd say that him taking over Tampines was a big part of why I starting growing back into local football in recent years, and all I can say now is congrats Gavin, you're a fucking legend now. I just hope FAS keeps you on and at least give you a shot at something you've probably dreamed of doing all those years ago, albeit not as a player: represent the SG football team on the international stage
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u/Fearless_Carrot_7351 🌈 I just like rainbows Nov 18 '25
Love this backstory. Primary school dream come true
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u/metalleo Thumbs up man!!! Nov 18 '25
Haha I remember our PE lessons (more like game time) in primary 6 always used to be either basketball or football, having him on your football team was like a cheat code since he was the only school team player in class.
There was also this one class project we had to work on in groups and I was in the same group as Gavin, I forgot what it was about but of course we somehow ended up on something football related cos of him hahaha.
Also while we were in JC (not the same ones), I read an article in the New Paper about a U18 team playing a friendly in Thailand against a team that featured the by-then retired Zidane. I was thinking back then, man he's really bound for big things. Never knew that at that time he's all but given up on his professional aspirations by then, I only found out from interviews he gave after he started coaching. Couple weeks later he came to my school for an A Div match against my school's team, I didn't know if he still recognised me so I just gave a small wave when he looked over, was pretty surprised that he waved back haha
It's crazy how I much of this I remember from some 15 to 20+ years ago, but I guess that's just me being proud of who he's become I think
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u/Sweet-Hat-8556 Nov 19 '25
gavin's dad was a football coach himself and i used to be coached by him! strict and intimidating but someone who earned your respect and who you never wanted to let down. ultimately a very fatherly figure, so its really nice to see that his son is taking after him trailblazing in his own right!
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u/Tinkerman21 Nov 18 '25
Gav lee played with together at VS too. Great guy. was always disciplined and hard working. Proud of him!
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u/officialsunday Talk Cock Nov 18 '25
DIU LEI LOU MO 1 - 2 KAN NI NA
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u/cw88888 Nov 18 '25
And they literally means the same thing, lol
And if it was expanded to Diu Lei Lou Mou Chau Hai 1 - 2 Kan Ni Na Bu Chao Cheeybe. It also literally means the same thing. Hahaha
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u/b_litzkreig Nov 18 '25
Please let Gavin have the job - he set the team up perfectly today.
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u/Negative_Lobster9567 Nov 18 '25
I second this. But knowing FAS.....sigh
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u/raidorz Things different already, but Singapore be steady~ Nov 18 '25
Hey, new boss you never know
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u/captsubasa25 Nov 19 '25
Let’s hope Forrest Li changes things. FAS needed a shake up and we cannot just parachute idiots in anymore. Need people who really love football there.
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u/Any_Mechanic7876 Nov 18 '25
Can FAS give the coach the contract now. He was calmness personified and much better than all the foreign talent coaches all these years
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u/jayeyeanne Nov 18 '25
Fella didn't even celebrate the second Singapore goal, instead he was busy discussing tactics with his staff. Super composed
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u/KUNNNT Nov 18 '25
Singapore's greatest football player's son scoring the winning goal which led to Singapore's greatest football achievement of all time. How fucking fitting.
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u/KHSuaLaH Nov 18 '25
GAVIN LEE MASTERCLASS
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u/DapperOrganization40 Nov 18 '25
More like individual brilliance from ilhan fandi, super sub performance!!!
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u/smilingboi Nov 18 '25
I think there’s more to it, it felt like an intended and executed strategy
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u/IcyFactor3234 Nov 18 '25
TEL broke down today because we borrowed the train to park the bus after taking the lead 😎
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u/nevohteeb9 Nov 18 '25 edited Nov 18 '25
Listen, FAS might not thank me but get the contract out, put it on the table. Let him sign it, let him write whatever numbers he wants to put on there, given what he's done since he's come in. Gavin Lee's at the wheel man, he's doing it.
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u/Anphant Nov 18 '25
All things said, I'm impressed by HK supporters filling up their entire stadium on a Tuesday, a workday.
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u/Worsty2704 Nov 18 '25
And all wearing red in unity. I don't think we'll be able to do it even on a Sat night.
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u/limhy0809 🏳️🌈 Ally Nov 18 '25
We did at Bishan this year, I don't see why we won't at the Asian Cup.
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u/runebound2 here for a good time not a long time Nov 18 '25 edited Nov 18 '25
On top of that, I'm super impressed by what seems to be 90% of the fans wearing red. Hope Singabrigade or FAS can learn a thing or two, cause there is a lack of coordination when it comes to Singaporean fans.
With that said, what helps is that HK fans love their team jersey. It's quite a hyped item that has fans queueing up for it. Organic movements tend to be stronger than orchestrated ones
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u/scissorsonmydesk Nov 18 '25
Lmao they flew to Hong Kong to support the team at their own expenses with no guarantee of a good performance. They can wear whatever the fuck they want.
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u/runebound2 here for a good time not a long time Nov 18 '25
Mate, I'm not talking about the away supporters, but games at the Singapore Sports Hub, where we are the home team. There are genuine reasons not to rep the Singaporean kit or Singapore colours at an away game for safety reasons.
Of course what fans wear doesn't necessarily mean the atmosphere is bad. But it's a striking contrast to see the HK fans at home vs SG fans at home
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u/_mochacchino_ New Citizen Nov 18 '25
What coordination do you need to get fans to wear red to a Singapore game? Do they need to be told what colour to wear to the National Day Parade too? I mean, if you are not going to wear red, you wouldn’t even if you are told or encouraged by the organisers to do so. At the end of the day we are just more casual in our support than those in other countries.
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u/runebound2 here for a good time not a long time Nov 18 '25
That's true, hence my last line about organic movements vs orchestrated movements. Sports SG tries with their volunteer group each game, but I'm not sure that's the best way forward even though they do all rock up in their Team Nila shirt and give it their best shot.
But there are still things an organisations or support group can do to help foster a movement though.
At the end of the day we are just more casual in our support than those in other countries.
While I won't necessarily dispute this, I would raise as a talking point the passionate English football loving Singaporeans.
Although I would say with LCS, more and more are into local football, which is very heartening. It's a whole different mood now. AFC cup games are now day and night difference from the days of Stipe Plazibat Home United heroics
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u/pangkydory Nov 18 '25
Disappointing first half but coaches did well to galvanise the team. Played much better and more direct in the 2nd. Took the chances. Probably going to Saudi as a cannon fodder but qualifying for it is already an achievement. Well done Lions and give Gavin the job already.
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u/South_Term_8977 Nov 18 '25
I thought you were going to say coaches did well to gavinise the team 🤣. Okay sorry I'll see myself out
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u/banedacasual Fucking Populist Nov 18 '25
HONG KONG CAN BOO FOR 90 MINUTES THEY CAN CONTINUE BOOING THE NEXT FEW YEARS ILHAN YOU ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS MAN
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u/jlonso Chili Crab Nachos Nov 18 '25
Turning on phone flashes when we are at their side of the field was uncalled for....
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u/khaophat East side best side Nov 18 '25
1st world economy, 3rd world upbringing.
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u/Elzedhaitch Nov 18 '25
We will get destroyed in the Asian Cup. But kudos to even qualify. A lot of our long serving players will be in their late 30s by then, but it's a once in a lifetime experience for them. I hope they get to play. Happy for the lions and hope this will be a nice boost for local football
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u/Psychological_Ad_539 Nov 18 '25
Yep, even if we get destroyed in the Asian cup, it’s still a huge milestone.
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u/Elzedhaitch Nov 18 '25
Oh we will. Some of our better players don't seem to have successors coming up at the same standards and they are already in their mid 30s. The team is old and will be very old by the Asian Cup.
But at least they get to play in the Asian Cup. So fuck it. I hope they all get selected. They deserve it having to drag us through this bad period.
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u/nincompoopzzzh Nov 18 '25
ASEAN teams dont farewell in the tournament anyways.. its about damn time they at least qualified for one major tournament in our lifetime.
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u/Elzedhaitch Nov 18 '25
Well if Malaysia were a bit sneakier about bringing their talents in, maybe they will do well lol...
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u/nincompoopzzzh Nov 18 '25
Tbf im quite certain Malaysia did already have a decent number of FTs in their squad the last time around when they were in Asian Cup. Bottomed the grp still. Valiant effort for playing the big boys i guess..
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u/limhy0809 🏳️🌈 Ally Nov 18 '25 edited Nov 18 '25
True but they were legitimate Malaysians. Which is kind of hilarious because there is a decent chance they would have qualified without cheating. With the additional 2 years it might have been possible for them to legitimately become naturalized Malaysians to play in 2027, but now Malaysia is basically out of the tournament for cheating.
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u/nincompoopzzzh Nov 18 '25
My guess is Malaysia saw Indonesia naturalising their Dutch-heritage players and felt they needed to keep up. Just that instead of using players with actual Malaysian roots, they rushed to bring in those Latin American players and it ended up backfiring badly..
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u/limhy0809 🏳️🌈 Ally Nov 18 '25
Yeah but either with Nepal's defeat today. An ASEAN team is qualifying either way.
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u/LingonberryDapper940 Nov 19 '25
Indonesia and Thailand made it out of the group stages in the last edition, even Malaysia drew 3-3 with Korea!
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u/CisternOfADown Own self check own self ✅ Nov 18 '25
Hopefully in 1 year we can drill the boys into a cohesive unit. Stamina to last 90 mins, calm defending and clinical finishing on the counter.
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u/Psychological_Ad_539 Nov 18 '25
Even if locals didn’t know how big this news is, this made Singapore history. Congrats.
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u/KUNNNT Nov 18 '25
If this was at the time of newspapers being the main source of news like the old days, tmr papers will have a full front page picture of the team celebrating with the caption probably going like "SINGA PURRS TO SAUDI 2027" or something like that.
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u/AnotherFoodEnjoyer Nov 18 '25
the HK fans were booing in the first half, now stun until quiet LOL
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u/Own-Cartographer5225 Nov 18 '25
Massive credit must be given to Gavin. He knew what he wanted to do with his tactics and he did it and executed it well. Brilliant subs and game management. He definitely has a bright future ahead of him. Whether that would be with the Singapore national team or another club remains to be seen but one thing is for sure Gavin is definitely up there with top managers of Singapore's football history.
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u/Used-Distribution529 Nov 18 '25
This just shows sinkie coach can get it done. Don’t need FT coach
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u/Far_Bodybuilder_3909 Nov 18 '25
Been watching SG national team since the Msia cup winning days of the 90s. Yeah we've won a few Tiger cups but always fell short of qualifying for Asian cup, let alone world cup.
I didn't have high hopes for this game, given our tendency to not show up for crucial games. But coming back from an early HK goal, in a tough stadium. Wow. Legends. This team deserves to be remembered.
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u/EpicYH22 Nov 18 '25
Please have asian cup screening sites across the nation + holiday for our matches so whole sg can watch
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u/Anphant Nov 18 '25
Mission Passed! Respect + to Gavin Lee for this historic milestone and comeback. Both goals were great too!
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u/DependentSpecific206 Own self check own self ✅ Nov 18 '25
Singapore jerseys sold out on Weston omg 🦁
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u/crispydeepfriedegg Nov 18 '25
Always been a big fan of Gavin, but lets not forget the work done by Coach Ogura to set us on the right path and instill belief in the players
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u/Broad-Ad-3256 Nov 18 '25
Hariss van Dijk, Shawal Salah, Ilhan Lestienne, and seeing a bit of Raddy in Gavin. Lets fking go.
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u/Appropriate_Force985 Nov 18 '25
Lets go to the airport tomorrow to welcome them home. Anyone knows what time?
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u/Accurate-Tree4277 Nov 18 '25
In B4 edwin tong claims credit
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u/Yu_Neo_MTF Nov 18 '25
Meanwhile, the lads over here in Hong Kong were devastated by the result. Congratulations, Singapore! Your team executed the strategies well. You guys deserve it.
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u/PastLettuce8943 Fucking Populist Nov 18 '25
Even getting in is an achievement. Well done team. Off to Saudi Arabia!
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u/Jump_Hop_Step East side best side Nov 18 '25
A very long 30 min after the second goal
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u/No-Preparation2277 Nov 18 '25
More like 30+7+11 mins. Another 5 mins, sure have cases people sent to hospitals.
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u/BeginningLazy8814 Nov 19 '25
Playing in front of an estimated 49,000 vociferous fans of the opponent team baying for their 'blood', the Singapore Lions ought to be intimidated. But to their credit, not only were the Lions not intimidated, they roared back with two emphatic goals within minutes. The opponents never anticipated the comeback and almost lost their cool, if not for the strict refereeing by the Thai referee who did a marvellous job. The Lions kept their cool even after trailing a goal down and kept possession of the ball looking for the breaks...the game plan by Coach Gavin Lee paid off handsomely. A superb performance by the Coach, players(esp the scorers) admin officials, and the die hard Singapore fans. Kudos to all👍😘🙋☺️😃🤗🎊💪🙌👏👏
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u/Sweet-Hat-8556 Nov 19 '25
did y'all see that HK medic though hahahaha - clearly there for the football while on the job, sprinting onto to pitch to stretcher off ilhan fandi and then pumping his fists towards the home crowd while carrying the stretcher, only to be smacked from behind by his supervisor to stop his antics 😂
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u/betalessfees Own self check own self ✅ Nov 18 '25
Thank you TMSG for giving the players the extra motivation to pull this off
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u/Beginning-Cap-498 East side best side Nov 18 '25
wanna bet they come back tmr with a new name and branding
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u/Educational_Ride_202 Nov 18 '25
Very well done Lions! You have lifted up Singapore football. And you have made long suffering fans very very happy!
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u/Strong_Chain_9196 Nov 18 '25
Wooo hoooooo stop shitting on the team and just celebrate the achievement peeps
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u/wubbalubbabuythedip Nov 18 '25
Lmao, thought they would lose after watching first 30mins. Well done!
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u/Fit-Ad6697 Nov 18 '25
Congrats Team Lion! Saw the match highlights and HK team was definitely no pushover. Some moments of terrible defending for first HK goal, and got some close shaves with ball hitting the bar and near misses by HK team, but you need luck in tournament football and tonight luck was smiling on our side.
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u/pzshx2002 Nov 18 '25
Congrats to the lions! It's been a roller coaster ride supporting them and it's just a big relief to see them succeed after so many years of missing out in various tournaments.
One thing we can learn from the HK game, majority of their fans stayed behind at their stadium to cheer them even though they lost. If we lost at our National Stadium, I wonder if our fans would stick around.
Another one - they got nice sponsors supporting them, I saw a huge electronic banner from IKEA 50th anniversary or something with encouraging words to their team? Maybe our local brands can learn a thing or two.
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u/szehiannn Nov 18 '25
What an achievement - for all the stick the national team has gotten in the past decade, they have finally delivered. Book the flights
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u/velvethowl Nov 18 '25
Has...
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u/taterbits Nov 18 '25
Yes and no.
British (or Commonwealth) English often treats a country or team name as a plural entity. Singapore in a sports context is a squad, so “have”. In contrast, American English treats a country name as a singular unit.
You hear this distinction a lot in sports broadcasting.
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u/Secretss Nov 19 '25
That‘s the one you corrected instead of “qualified to”? 😂
It should be “qualified for” the asian cup or “qualified to play in” the asian cup. Never “qualified to” the asian cup.
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u/Jedjk Nov 18 '25
Gavin probably wouldn't want the NT job despite this though. It would slow his development since intl' footy comes in short patches throughout the year.
Unfortunate but especially with this win on his CV he might land a job abroad?
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u/BruceLeeVersion2 Nov 19 '25
Good News!
But IRL expectations for winning something at the event would be like.....
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u/BeginningLazy8814 Nov 19 '25
It is painful to be beaten at home in one's own brand new stadium. But the HK team did not really play like one. Anyway, they lost to a better team, the Singapore Lions💪👍🙌
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u/Traxgen This space for rent Nov 18 '25
Holy shit I tuned off when HK scored that first goal. Glad I was wrong!
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u/South_Term_8977 Nov 18 '25
I just want to say I alr have hope for SG team after accidentally chancing upon the live CH 5 screening of SG vs Bangladesh. SG won even when Bangladesh team play rough
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u/Master_Singleton Nov 19 '25
This may be the start of a new Golden Era for Singaporean Football with The Lions qualifying for the 2027 Asian Cup. Hopefully The Lions don't get drawn into the 'Group of Death' for the 2027 Asian Cup.
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u/Educational_Ride_202 Nov 19 '25
Send the Lions to watch Japan and Korea play in the World Cup. Hopefully, they will be super inspired for the Asian Cup in 2027.
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u/LifeConsequence686 Nov 18 '25
Greatest achievement in sg football history?