u/BOLASEPAKO

🧢 National coach Gavin Lee named his squad of 28 for the upcoming international friendly matches against Mongolia (31/5) and China PR (5/6) at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

These fixtures come on the back of the Final Draw for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, which saw Singapore drawn into Group D alongside Tajikistan, as well as World Cup-bound Australia and Iraq.

More details 📝➡️ https://fas.org.sg/gavin-lee-announces-28-man-lions-squad-for-june-fifa-window (Football Association of Singapore)

Before the MRT, what were some of your mode of transportation to the old National Stadium?

Was by bus and cross the bridge near the Old PA HQ (the former Kallang Airport) or you tumpang your way to the stadium?

Seven players were invited by Aw Hoe of the famed Tiger Balm Aw clan for a short stint with Hong Kong club Kitchee SC.

Besides playing football, the players were also serving their internship with one of the Hong Kong newspapers owed by the Aw family.

•Singapore Xin Hua Sports Club traced its origins to 1911 when it first called Straits Chinese Football Association before renamed as Singapore Chinese Football Association then as Singapore Chinese Football Club in 1970.

• Malayan Chinese Football Association (MCFA) was formed in 1928.

[Singapore Premier League] 🖼️

⚽: Geylang International vs Lion City Sailors (260426)

📊: 0:3

🏟️: Our Tampines Hub

All the action, the complete album is waiting

How did a game played on 12/8/1977 ended up having a 12-8 scoreline?

This bizarre match took place on the mentioned date that ended having the mentioned scoreline.

In November 1950, a group of seven footballers from the local scene embarked on a landmark journey to Hong Kong.

Their arrival at Kai Tak Airport sparked a media sensation, marking a significant chapter in our regional footballing history.

THE NOTABLE FACTS OF THE MOVE

▶️ THE SENSATION AT KAI TAK: On 6th November 1950, a contingent of players arrived in Hong Kong for a two-month stint with Kitchee SC. The group was greeted with a fanfare from local fans and media, reflecting the high regard for Malayan and Singaporean talent at the time.

▶️ THE LEGENDARY NAMES: The group featured heavyweights such as goalkeeper Chu Chee Seng (a 1948 London Olympian) and the clinical striker Awang Bakar. The Hong Kong press were particularly fascinated by Awang Bakar for his agility and goal-scoring prowess.

▶️ THE "TIGER BALM" VISION: The recruitment was orchestrated by media mogul Aw Hoe of the famed Tiger Balm Aw family.

As the owner of Sing Tao and a former football convenor for Kitchee, Aw Hoe viewed the signing of these technical Singaporean players as a "masterstroke" to help Kitchee challenge the dominant teams in the Hong Kong First Division.

▶️ REGIONAL PEDIGREE: While one player, Tan Kai Sow, was technically from Selangor, the group was viewed as a singular powerhouse from the South.

Their arrival was not just a sporting event but a testament to the technical standing of the local game during the post-war era.

THE TAKEAWAY FOR 2026:

The 1950 Kitchee stint serves as a historical blueprint for regional talent exchange. It reminds us that our footballers have long possessed the pedigree to succeed as high-profile exports in major Asian leagues.

As we look to elevate the standing of our players today, this 76-year-old story proves that the capacity for regional dominance is a fundamental part of our footballing DNA.

He came in as a Technical Director for FAS before a sudden twist saw him take over as Singapore head coach merely days before the Malaysian Premier League season in 1994 that witnessed the Lions won the coveted Malaysia Cup.

Another sudden twist in fate saw him became the founding CEO of the S.League.

The commercial model of the "Mega-Friendly" is facing a crisis in this region with organisers repeatedly failing to deliver what were supposed to be.

▶️ A LEGACY OF "NO-SHOWS": From Singapore in 2017 to Hong Kong and Jakarta, high-profile names have consistently missed matches due to "personal reasons" or injury.

▶️ THE "TRUST DEFICIT": Fans paying premium prices (up to $188) feel short-changed by "buang masa" (wasted time) exhibitions that prioritise branding over competitive football.

▶️ FUTURE STRATEGY: For long-term sustainability, promoters must shift away from "individual-centric" marketing and return to promoting the team and the sport itself.

▶️ KEY TAKEAWAY: Honesty in marketing and respect for the local fanbase are essential to prevent further damage to the game’s integrity in Asia.

Singapore football was at one of her lowest when the Lions were relegated to Liga Semi-Pro Division Two after the 1992 season

It was dealt with a further blow when a rejuvenated Hasnim Haron decided to sign for Division One club Johor FA before the start of the 1993 campaign.