Kids, if you are Singaporean, and have not had the fortunate luck to have stumbled upon the wonderful sport that is Singapore soccer, you have not lived. If you are Singaporean, and think that The Lions are a band and the FAS means the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, then you have not lived. If you are Singaporean, and if you were not watching the match last night, YOU HAVE NOT LIVED.


Sure, the passing during the first half was absolute SHITE. Sure, the soccer during the first half looked like the Thais were playing themselves. Sure, we were very, very, very lucky the Thais just couldn't find the net.

But we tried - with an offside goal at the 9th minute. Not losing our cool despite some rough play by the Thai players. Staying calm despite a slightly cautious referee (did he not see the billion fouls on our players?!) NOT WALKING OFF AFTER A PERFECTLY LEGITIMATE GOAL WAS RULED OFFSIDE. Not losing our composure and concentration despite the goal on the 35th minute. Recovering after half-time to really press in. Keeping our wits about us as Lionel Lewis didn't manage to get back into position after a ball cleared badly.

And finally - FINALLY - pressing our advantage to equalise with subbie Khairul Amri's BEAUTIFUL (AND COMPLETELY LEGITIMATE) GOAL in the 80th minute.

My neighbours must have thought I had gone mad - or they were shouting themselves. "GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!! WE WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!!" - I know, it was a premature call, but I would not let myself believe that the Lions would screw it completely up by not being able to last another 10 minutes. I couldn't. I think all fans of soccer will agree with me - sometimes being at home in front of the TV, you just know that

if you shout loud enough
if you wish hard enough
if you hold your breath when it really matters

IT WILL HELP YOUR TEAM WIN.

You know what I'm talking about.


Well done Lions! Enjoy your dinner with Prezzie Nair tomorrow at the Istana - because you deserve it - especially since we are the defending champions!. Enjoy the bonus, enjoy the adoration by fans, enjoy the free food and drink that people are going to give you for bringing the Cup home. Itimi Dickson, I'm glad that you have redeemed yourself in my eyes.

I'm so happy I could cry. (Yes, I love it this much.)

I leave you with a poor video of the Singapore news coverage of the event. No monday blues tomorrow!



Some other reads:
AFF - Singapore retains crown
FAS/S-league - Lions affirm Asean supremacy with third title
FAS/S-league - Raddy: And now, Asia
FAS/S-league - And now, accolades fall on Alam Shah
AP/Reuters - Singapore sucker punch fells Thailand
Bangkok Post - 6 million baht 'bounty' on Singapore
Bangkok Post - Singapore win ASEAN football title
Goal.com - Editorial: Thais must pay high price for protest
ChannelNewsAsia - Football: Singapore stun Thailand to win Asean championship title
ChannelNewsAsia - AFF to decide Thailand's fate on Tuesday
SLAM!Sports - Singapore holds Thailand to 1-1 draw to take Asean championship