Singapore in 2034 World Cup. Can make it or not?

[VanDick]

Nepal record historic win over Singapore in international football friendly​

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Singapore midfielder Harhys Stewart sees a shot saved by Nepal goalkeeper Kiran Chemjong in the visitors' 1-0 win at the National Stadium.ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR

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The Lions lost 1-0 to Nepal at the National Stadium in front of 5,078 fans.ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
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David Lee
Mar 22, 2025

SINGAPORE – If their performance against Nepal was anything to go by, world No. 160 Singapore will have a mountain to climb when they face 155th-ranked Hong Kong in the Asian Cup qualifiers on March 25.

On March 21, the lacklustre Lions lost 1-0 to the 175th-ranked Nepalis in front of 5,078 fans at the National Stadium for their first defeat by the South Asian nation in four meetings, and Singapore coach Tsutomu Ogura lambasted the poor performance in the post-match press conference.

The 58-year-old said: “If we play like this, we cannot win against any team. In my one year here, this is the worst game we have played, more so than the 7-0 loss to South Korea.

“Nepal were much better. We were nothing, nothing, nothing. There was no fight, and we played individually and not as a team, unlike Nepal. They wanted to win, they wanted to protect their goal, they treated this friendly game like a competitive match.

“Why were we so frantic and scared after losing one goal? If we can play like normal, maybe we can create chances. Nepal fought for 90 minutes plus additional time but we fight for only 10, 15 minutes. It’s not enough.”

Just five players from the starting line-up in their last match against Vietnam in the Asean Championship semi-finals made Ogura’s first XI as he looked to experiment ahead of the Hong Kong match. Interestingly, in-form striker Shawal Anuar was the only one left out of the 23-player match-day squad.

The Japanese coach would have been disappointed by how his back four were caught on a counter-attack as early as the 12th minute. Manish Dangi whipped in a cross for Gillespye Jung Karki to score his third goal on his 12th international appearance and send the 600-odd Nepal fans into raptures.


The hosts tried to respond immediately, and Harhys Stewart was unfortunate to have his penalty claim waved away by referee Yusuke Ohashi after being hacked in the box by Rohit Chand in the 17th minute.

But, save for a few hopeful crosses that were competently dealt with, and a shot from Ryhan Stewart on the left in the 21st minute, Singapore did not test Nepal goalkeeper and skipper Kiran Chemjong.

Instead, they required debutant left-back Akram Azman to make a last-ditch tackle in midfield to prevent the marauding Dangi from going clear on goal in the 29th minute.

The home fans had a rare moment to cheer about when the jumbotron erroneously flashed a goal celebration when Shah Shahiran was about to take a free kick in the 62nd minute, but it eventually came to nought.

Lions goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud also had to be alert to beat Singapore-born Laken Limbu to the ball, as the energetic visitors did not look like a team who had lost 12-0 across three previous encounters to the Republic in the 1980s.

Courtesy of their substitutes, the Lions’ best chance of the game came in the 68th minute when Christopher van Huizen’s cross was nodded on by Ilhan Fandi for Faris Ramli, whose close-range shot was well saved by Chemjong.

They were denied another possible penalty in the 79th minute when Abhishek Limbu looked to have handled the ball, after Harhys’ long throw wreaked havoc in the penalty box.

Harhys, who turned 24 a day earlier, then saw a point-blank shot blocked by Chemjong in the 89th minute before Faris’ free kick skimmed off the bar in added time.

The historic win will have lifted Nepal, who have just three weeks to work with new coach Matthew Ross, ahead of their Asian Cup qualifier in Malaysia on March 25.

Apologising to the fans for the drab showing, Shah said they will show an improvement when they meet Hong Kong in their Group C opener of the Asian Cup qualifiers on March 25.

He said: “With this result, it’s important to do a better job in the game against Hong Kong and we can promise a better performance and a better result next Tuesday...

“We want to get a better result for the fans that came all the way down today. We’re looking forward to the next match.”

Ogura added: "When the team’s performance is not good and they cannot show our concept, it is my responsibility because I pick the players and decide how they play.

“We were bad today but Hong Kong is a new challenge. We must get our mindset right again to play better against Hong Kong. I apologise to the fans, but please don’t give up, please continue to come to the stadium to give our players a push.”

I pity the 5,000 retards who had actually turn up to watch this shit show.

The gahment should ban the sport to prevent further embarrassment and humiliation.

 

[True Believer]

I pity the 5,000 retards who had actually turn up to watch this shit show.
The gahment should ban the sport to prevent further embarrassment and humiliation.

S'poreans overpay for everything from our politicians to homes, cars, food, clothing, footwear to football games! WTF!

 

[jurongkechil]

Power.

 

[Robert Half]

Next Tuesday 25 Mar 2025 .. 8:30pm

Singapore vs Hong Kong

 

[True Believer]

If S'pore can lose to Nepal at home, then there is absolutely no more hope for football here. Let us close the FAS for good, and spend taxpayers' money on a game where we won't be continually embarrassed.

 

[Robert Half]

I think it’s good for local league to be semi professional ..

And send a full-time Singaporean teams with foreign players to participate the Malaysia Cup again

 

[Narong Wongwan]

Can lose to Nepal which is ranked almost last in the world. Maybe another 100 years later

 

[Narong Wongwan]

If S'pore can lose to Nepal at home, then there is absolutely no more hope for football here. Let us close the FAS for good, and spend taxpayers' money on a game where we won't be continually embarrassed.

Maybe the sg lions can form a league with bottom countries like Nepal Brunei East Timor. Then got fighting chance to be champions

 

[True Believer]

Maybe the sg lions can form a league with bottom countries like Nepal Brunei East Timor. Then got fighting chance to be champions

If Nepal can beat S'pore at home, Brunei and East Timor must be rubbing their hands with glee at the prospect of playing the Lions.

 

[True Believer]

S'pore has Gurkha mercenaries in the local police force, so they should now hire Nepalese to represent the Lions in football.

 

[Baimi]

I think Nepal has a better change of making to the WC final than Singapore.

 

[Eisenhut]

It really depends how many SPGs open leg to let african BBC inseminate them. Only Afro genes can save Singapore football.
Sayed Putra and gang do fk all these years

 

[A Singaporean]

Yes and pigs will fly too.

 

[True Believer]

The FAS keeps procrastinating on the date when S'pore will enter the World Cup Finals. I signed up for a Procrastinators' Support Group 3 years ago, but they have not started their first session to date. LOL!

 

[joemartini]

 

[True Believer]

View attachment 216785

This is Edwin Tong's tripod aka "balls carrier"

 

[sbfuncle]

People. Is all about money.
When the price is right the answer is yes.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Nepal record historic win over Singapore in international football friendly​

‹‹

1 of 2
Singapore midfielder Harhys Stewart sees a shot saved by Nepal goalkeeper Kiran Chemjong in the visitors' 1-0 win at the National Stadium.ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR

2 of 2
The Lions lost 1-0 to Nepal at the National Stadium in front of 5,078 fans.ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR
››

David Lee
Mar 22, 2025


SINGAPORE – If their performance against Nepal was anything to go by, world No. 160 Singapore will have a mountain to climb when they face 155th-ranked Hong Kong in the Asian Cup qualifiers on March 25.

On March 21, the lacklustre Lions lost 1-0 to the 175th-ranked Nepalis in front of 5,078 fans at the National Stadium for their first defeat by the South Asian nation in four meetings, and Singapore coach Tsutomu Ogura lambasted the poor performance in the post-match press conference.

The 58-year-old said: “If we play like this, we cannot win against any team. In my one year here, this is the worst game we have played, more so than the 7-0 loss to South Korea.

“Nepal were much better. We were nothing, nothing, nothing. There was no fight, and we played individually and not as a team, unlike Nepal. They wanted to win, they wanted to protect their goal, they treated this friendly game like a competitive match.

“Why were we so frantic and scared after losing one goal? If we can play like normal, maybe we can create chances. Nepal fought for 90 minutes plus additional time but we fight for only 10, 15 minutes. It’s not enough.”

Just five players from the starting line-up in their last match against Vietnam in the Asean Championship semi-finals made Ogura’s first XI as he looked to experiment ahead of the Hong Kong match. Interestingly, in-form striker Shawal Anuar was the only one left out of the 23-player match-day squad.

The Japanese coach would have been disappointed by how his back four were caught on a counter-attack as early as the 12th minute. Manish Dangi whipped in a cross for Gillespye Jung Karki to score his third goal on his 12th international appearance and send the 600-odd Nepal fans into raptures.


The hosts tried to respond immediately, and Harhys Stewart was unfortunate to have his penalty claim waved away by referee Yusuke Ohashi after being hacked in the box by Rohit Chand in the 17th minute.

But, save for a few hopeful crosses that were competently dealt with, and a shot from Ryhan Stewart on the left in the 21st minute, Singapore did not test Nepal goalkeeper and skipper Kiran Chemjong.

Instead, they required debutant left-back Akram Azman to make a last-ditch tackle in midfield to prevent the marauding Dangi from going clear on goal in the 29th minute.

The home fans had a rare moment to cheer about when the jumbotron erroneously flashed a goal celebration when Shah Shahiran was about to take a free kick in the 62nd minute, but it eventually came to nought.

Lions goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud also had to be alert to beat Singapore-born Laken Limbu to the ball, as the energetic visitors did not look like a team who had lost 12-0 across three previous encounters to the Republic in the 1980s.

Courtesy of their substitutes, the Lions’ best chance of the game came in the 68th minute when Christopher van Huizen’s cross was nodded on by Ilhan Fandi for Faris Ramli, whose close-range shot was well saved by Chemjong.

They were denied another possible penalty in the 79th minute when Abhishek Limbu looked to have handled the ball, after Harhys’ long throw wreaked havoc in the penalty box.

Harhys, who turned 24 a day earlier, then saw a point-blank shot blocked by Chemjong in the 89th minute before Faris’ free kick skimmed off the bar in added time.

The historic win will have lifted Nepal, who have just three weeks to work with new coach Matthew Ross, ahead of their Asian Cup qualifier in Malaysia on March 25.

Apologising to the fans for the drab showing, Shah said they will show an improvement when they meet Hong Kong in their Group C opener of the Asian Cup qualifiers on March 25.

He said: “With this result, it’s important to do a better job in the game against Hong Kong and we can promise a better performance and a better result next Tuesday...

“We want to get a better result for the fans that came all the way down today. We’re looking forward to the next match.”

Ogura added: "When the team’s performance is not good and they cannot show our concept, it is my responsibility because I pick the players and decide how they play.

“We were bad today but Hong Kong is a new challenge. We must get our mindset right again to play better against Hong Kong. I apologise to the fans, but please don’t give up, please continue to come to the stadium to give our players a push.”

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Balestier Khalsa’s departing coach Peter de Roo urges FAS to get out of comfort zone to improve SPL​

Balestier Khalsa coach Peter de Roo says there is a lack of effort from the football authorities in making the game better.ST PHOTO: LUTHER LAU

Deepanraj Ganesan
May 23, 2025

SINGAPORE – For most of the last decade, Balestier Khalsa had become a team known for their defensive, uninspiring brand of football rather than flair or ambition.

That perception has been turned on its head under Peter de Roo, who has been their full-time coach since the 2023 season.

With one game left, Balestier are fourth on 45 points – three more than their next opponents, fifth-placed Albirex Niigata – and are just a point away from securing consecutive top-four finishes in the Singapore Premier League (SPL). The last time they achieved this was in 1998.

The 55-year-old Dutchman has done this while having introduced a possession-based, attacking style of play that has earned plaudits from fans and pundits.

However, the de Roo era will end on May 25, after their season finale against Albirex at the Bishan Stadium (6pm), as he has informed the club that he will not be renewing his contract. His decision was prompted by several factors, including difficulties in taking the next step at a club that he felt has reached their maximum potential with “limited resources”.

De Roo said: “We compete with clubs who have a much higher budget than us and, in the top four, we are the only club that doesn’t have national team players.

“When you are successful in a club like Balestier, the budget is not going to improve in the next season, but the players want to earn more money and the expectations go up. To stay at the same level, or even improve in terms of the results, is going to be a massive challenge.

“Where I come from, if you do well, you generate more income, there are more people watching, you get more money from broadcast and commercial arms to improve the team and the salaries of players. Simply, if you do well, the budget goes up. At Balestier, it is not like that. I must accept that.”

Noting that he has achieved his objective of making an impact at the club, he added: “You better leave two months too early than stay for one day too long.”

While he exits “with pain in my heart, because I love these boys, I love the club”, de Roo said he also felt the need to be honest as he felt there was so much untapped potential in the football scene here.

Without mincing his words, he added that the football authorities’ lack of effort and innovation have also contributed to his decision to leave.

“I’ve been part of the SPL for three years and what I noticed is that there is a lack of effort from the people (in charge) in trying to make it better and more attractive. I see a lot of people who take things for granted here and are too comfortable,” said de Roo.

He mentioned, for example, that on several occasions, he had raised the issue of time-wasting by SPL teams with the Football Association of Singapore (FAS). This had contributed to dull matches and, by his own tabulation, a below average ball-in-play time of the “low 40s”. The average ball-in-play time in the English Premier League is 57 minutes.

“It is disrespectful to people who watch it, and it’s certainly not what young players should be seeing. FAS can do a lot about these things as well. We must do better, and we owe it to the people who watch our games to address these things,” de Roo said, adding that more should also be done in terms of fan engagement.

While admitting he did not have all the answers, he stressed the need for innovation. He said: “We need to try to encourage and promote and make the competitions better, but I get the feeling that everybody is sort of being comfortable. Being comfortable isn’t going to lead to anything. They need to think outside the box.”

The departure of club vice-chairman Darwin Jalil in April had also played a part in his own exit. De Roo credited Darwin for raising standards at the club and being a crucial figure behind the Tigers’ growth in the last two years.

De Roo, who served as technical director at the Football Association of Malaysia from 2017 until the end of 2020, had initially joined as Balestier’s interim coach for the last six league matches of the 2022 season, after Akbar Nawas left to join then Thai second-tier side Udon Thani.

But he eventually accepted an offer to stay on permanently for the 2023 season, before agreeing to extend his contract again for the 2024-25 campaign.

The Dutchman said he accepted the role even though the Tigers’ best offer meant taking a pay cut of up to 60 per cent compared to his previous salaries.

Since leaving his appointment in Malaysia, he has been based in Singapore, where his wife works at the Netherlands Embassy.

For now, de Roo has not thought of the next step in his career, but reiterated that he has enjoyed being in the Republic and hopes to see changes to improve local football.

He added: “During my time here, I have studied the history of the country. Look at where Singapore was then in the 60s or in the 70s, and where they are now.

“You’re so good at planning and building so many things. So, to me, it is weird that we can’t get football organised.

“If you can transfer that mindset of how the nation was built into football, things will improve.”

Hougang United v Brunei DPMM (May 24, 6pm, Our Tampines Hub)​

While DPMM will be looking to finish the season and their Singapore sojourn with a sixth straight league win, the Cheetahs are aiming to end a five-game winless run.

BG Tampines Rovers v Lion City Sailors (May 24, 6pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)​

The newly crowned champions have a chance to assert their dominance over runners-up Tampines. Eight points separate the sides, and their previous encounters this season have produced a win apiece and a draw, setting the stage for an intriguing showdown.

Tanjong Pagar United v Geylang International (May 25, 6pm, Jurong East Stadium)​

Last season’s wooden-spoonists have just three league wins this term, but they can draw confidence from their lone victory in the past 14 matches – a 1-0 win over Geylang in the Singapore Cup group stage back in March.

 

[True Believer]

S'pore will finally reach the World Cup Finals by hosting the tournament.