With two disallowed goals, Singapore were forced to settle for a draw against Hong Kong in front of a 8,064-strong crowd at the Singapore National Stadium
Hong Kong were tipped to prevail over Singapore in the opening match of their campaign to qualify for the AFC Asian Cup 2027. After all, Hong Kong were on a seven-game winning streak and were entering the game as favourites despite being away from home.
Holding them to a goalless draw, it turned out to be a spirited performance from Singapore–a far cry from the 1-0 loss against Nepal last Friday. It was a gritty draw between the two sides, and even saw two disallowed goals for the home team.
Singapore charged out of the pen, and took only a minute and a half to find the net. It was towering defender Lionel Tan who rose high to head home a corner. However, due to a push in the box spotted by the referee, it was back to the drawing board for Singapore.
The Lions took advantage of an unusually lethargic looking Hong Kong side, gaining momentum as the game progressed. Despite the attacks forged, Singapore were unable to make it count in the final third—though they did come close several times.
With Glenn Kweh often blazing through the left wing, his attempts to deliver the ball to his teammates in the box came close to bearing fruit in the 14th minute. Playing a clinical two-touch pass with Hami Syahin, the 25-year-old winger then pulled it back to Shawal, whose shot sailed wide.
Glenn himself would find the opportunity to break the deadlock just ten minutes later. Helped on by a cross from Harhys Stewart, the Tampines Rovers forward volleyed the ball straight into the palms of Yapp Hung Fai.
Hong Kong would come out of the changing rooms for the second half re-energised. Having coloured themselves in, the away side would fashion several chances on goal with Matt Orr and Everton Camargo causing trouble for the Singaporeans.
In the 60th minute, substitute Kyoga Nakamura had the best chance of the night. Capitalising on Hong Kong's failure to clear the ball, Nakamura seized the opportunity and unleashed a powerful shot, which, though striking with force, just narrowly missed the target.
With less than 15 minutes remaining, Shawal Anuar sent the home crowd into a frenzy once again, lifting a trademark chip over the keeper—a move fans have witnessed time and time again from Shawal, both with the national team and the Lion City Sailors. This time, however, the crushing sight of the offside flag being raised dampened Singapore's spirits once more.
With the solitary point earned, Singapore will now turn their focus to the away clash against Bangladesh in June, hoping to gain momentum in their bid to reach Saudi Arabia in 2027.
Here are more highlights from the match between Singapore and Hong Kong.
Hami Syahin takes on, and twists away from a towering Fernando Pereira on the right wing.
Kyoga Nakamura finds himself on the ball with space to shoot in the 61st minute, but his shot sails just wide.
Leading his team out last night, Haris Harun played the full 90 minutes, making crucial last-ditch tackles at key moments to thwart Hong Kong's advances and keep them at bay.
The Lion City Sailors' Akram Azman received his maiden national team call up ahead of the home friendly against Nepal and the clash versus Hong Kong.
The defender was given the start by Head Coach Tsutomu Ogura in both games, a defining moment in the 23-year-old's career.
Ryhan Stewart, who came on late in the second half, is dispossessed in a last-ditch tackle.
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