Singapore took the National Stadium by storm as they drew 2-2 against sleeping Asian giants China, earning their first point of their 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifying campaign
Before the game, it would’ve seemed like a 2-2 draw against China was unthinkable. After all, Singapore’s 2026 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifier campaign had not been going well and China ranked 68 spots above Singapore. It was also new Head Coach Tsutomu Ogura’s first match in charge.
It was Faris Ramli and Jacob Mahler who sent the Singapore National Stadium into hysterics when they got on the scoresheet – not forgetting Hassan Sunny whose heroics fueled the jubilation of Singaporean fans among the 28,414 in attendance.
First blood was drawn in the 10th minute as one of China’s best strikers of all time, Wu Lei, headed home a curling ball in from outside the box.
In a game that was of high intensity and filled with tackles, there were plenty of calls for penalties from both sides – with the first being in the fifth minute. Ryhan Stewart’s last ditch tackle on Li Yuanyi earned a roar from the crowd as the midfielder was through on goal. Referee Shaun Evans waved the game along.
He did not do so however in the 29th minute when Nazrul Nazari handled the ball in the box, earning himself a yellow card as a result.
Stepping up to the spot was Wu Lei who despite his experience, was no match for Hassan Sunny as the goalkeeper dove to his right and saved the penalty prompting the fans to jump to their feet.
Muhammad Zulqarnaen and Glenn Kweh led an attack in the 21st minute which was eventually headed away into safety – but it was the first signs of positivity from Singapore’s frontline. Back in defence, both Safuwan Baharudin and Ryhan were putting in crucial tackles to deny China’s pressing forwards.
Eventually in the 45th minute, Wu Lei secured his brace and made it 2-0 for China. Though Hassan had parried away an initial shot from just outside the box, the former La Liga striker was in prime position to pounce on the rebound.
Harhys Stewart joined his brother Ryhan on the pitch in the second half. Faris Ramli was also amongst Ogura’s substitutions as the whistle blew – and the two wasted no time in ejecting energy into what was originally a more defensive starting 11.
Faris kickstarted Singapore’s comeback in the 52nd minute. Lionel Tan’s long ball over the heads of every player found Faris – who despite being closed down by a pair of defenders – managed to get a foot on the ball. Deflecting off a defender, goalkeeper Yan Junling could not find his footing quite quick enough to get to the ball.
It was in the 82nd minute when the National Stadium erupted into a deafening chorus of cheers. With Shah Shahiran’s initial volley blocked by Jiang Guangtai, the ball fell for Mahler.
Taking a touch to set it up, the Madura United defender pummeled the ball into the net after Zhang Linpeng and Guaitang failed to clear it away.
After earning their first point in the campaign, Singapore are set to face China once more on 26th March at the Tianjin Olympic Centre Stadium in the away fixture.
For more match photos from Singapore vs China's 2026 World Cup Asian Qualifiers match, visit our photo album here.
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