Singapore wrapped up an unbeaten Asian Cup qualifying campaign, securing a 1-0 victory over Bangladesh in a tightly contested affair. The Lions did so in style in front of 30,105 supporters, as pyrotechnics lit up the stadium and performances by local artistes Shazza and Iman Fandi added to the celebratory mood.
Head coach Gavin Lee thanked the fans in the post-match press conference for creating an “amazing” atmosphere, with the Singapore faithful’s Kallang Wave providing a fitting backdrop to the team’s triumph.
There were also wins celebrated off the pitch, with Sea Limited pledging $50 million towards the development of football in Singapore.
Football Association of Singapore president and Sea chief executive Forrest Li announced the donation during a Partner Appreciation Ceremony ahead of the match, adding that the funds would support “initiatives that improve our national team performance, youth development, and football infrastructure”.
Another bright spot for the Lions was teenager Nathan Mao’s second-half cameo, as the 18-year-old made his bow in national colours after earning his first call-up last Monday (Mar 23), coming on for Ikhsan Fandi.
“We saw glimpses of his potential today. He is quite fearless. In his first international game, to do some of the things he did, it’s quite exciting in that sense.”
Signing off with the win courtesy of player-of-the-match Harhys Stewart’s first international goal, the Lions climbed to 14 points at the top of their group, finishing six points clear of Hong Kong, whom they beat last November to secure qualification.
Winger Glenn Kweh’s 31st-minute effort was parried by opposition goalkeeper Mitul Marma, but the box-crashing Harhys Stewart was on hand to apply a close-range finish.
But despite the victory and a clean sheet, head coach Gavin Lee felt his side’s performance left more to be desired.
“We’ve got a good result, but not a good performance. Clean sheet and we finished the campaign unbeaten, but we are not satisfied with the performance. There are so many details to go through, but this is the lesson we take away.”
Frontman Ikhsan Fandi echoed his coach’s sentiments as he identified areas for improvement.
“Going unbeaten is a really good way to end the campaign. But honestly, we know we didn’t have the best of games. That’s the standard we have set for ourselves.”
“(We have to work on) everything, from our fitness, to composure and being brave enough to play the ball. We have done it before, but it didn’t go the way we wanted it to today.”
But if their qualifying campaign has taught the team anything, it is “mental toughness”, said Harhys.
“It will be a really important asset going into a big tournament like the Asian Cup.”
With the July 24-Aug 26 ASEAN Championship followed closely by the inaugural Fifa Asean Cup scheduled to take place from September to October, Lee will have plenty of opportunities to test his charges in preparation for the continental showpiece next January.
“The players are very focused. They know what they want as a collective. And every day they drive each other. The standards are high. We’ve got good leaders who manage the environment. It’s been a very good progress so far.”
