Singapore football fans disappointed with 6-0 loss to rivals Malaysia in ASEAN Cup
Last Thursday (1 Oct), Singapore’s national football team were eliminated from the FIFA ASEAN Cup after Malaysia handed them a 6-0 thrashing.
Source: @fasingapore on Instagram
Earlier in the tournament, Singapore lost 2-0 to Indonesia while scrapping past Bangladesh 1-0.
The Lions bowed out of Group A in third place, with three points.
The heavy defeat against Malaysia particularly stung Singapore fans, who criticised the team’s poor performance.
Source: @fasingapore on Instagram
Claims goals conceded were ‘amateurish’ and ‘unacceptable’
SingaBrigade, an ultras-style supporter group for the national team, released a statement on its social media page last Friday (2 Oct).
Source: SingaBrigade on Facebook
Titled “a warning to our Lions”, SingaBrigade addressed the record defeat to Malaysia with a Halloween analogy.
They wrote: “Halloween has come early and we have witnessed a horror show in Bandung.”
SingaBrigade said that they can “accept losing to anyone”, but drew a line at losing the way the team did against Malaysia last Thursday.
Source: @fasingapore on Instagram
“At 2-0 down, we saw a flicker of fight, but when we conceded the third goal, you gave up,” they wrote.
SingaBrigade continued its criticism of the performance, claiming that all six goals conceded were “amateurish” and “unacceptable”.
Asian Cup looming in 2027
Fans pointed out that Singapore will compete in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, with less than 100 days to go.
Source: @afcasiancup on Instagram
This would be Singapore’s first qualification for a continental tournament by merit, with the country’s only appearance coming in 1984 when they participated automatically as hosts.
However, based on their recent performances, SingBrigade said that the national team are “lambs who have been slaughtered” and not “Lions”.
They wrote: “A couple of good games does not make you good. Wake up now!”
Asks the team not to ‘take our support for granted’
Despite the frustration, the fans clarified that their support “is and will always be unconditional”.
Source: @fasingapore on Instagram
“We have been there through every defeat and every doubt, and we will keep showing up. However, we will not stay quiet when things aren’t right,” they added.
We are and will be watching. Do not take our support for granted!
MS News has reached out to SingaBrigade for more information.
Netizens disappointed with defeat, mixed responses online
Netizens had mixed reactions to both the OP’s statement and The Lions’ 6–0 loss.
Most agreed that the team is significantly weaker than its competitors and needs to reflect on the defeat to improve.
Source: Facebook
However, some stood by The Lions and defended them.
“Once a Lion, always a Lion,” one proud netizen wrote.
Source: Facebook
A Facebook user also shared a lengthy post that drew plenty of positive responses from fellow netizens.
They wrote: “Difficult night, up against the odds and badly beaten.”
While acknowledging that the team could have performed better, they stressed the importance of continuing to fight and support one another.
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Featured image adapted from @fasingapore on Instagram and SingaBrigade on Facebook.