Hailed a hero in China, S'pore's Hassan Sunny gets star treatment in Shanghai

Goalie on holiday with family draws fans, with some following him around malls

- Tan Dawn Wei

Man of the moment Hassan Sunny got his first taste of what stardom in China is like when he was in town for what has been described as a family holiday over the Hari Raya Haji long weekend.

The goalkeeper of the Singapore national football team arrived in Shanghai on the morning of June 16 with his family in tow without much fanfare, but was quickly recognised by fans, who posted pictures and videos of him on Chinese social media.

The 40-year-old found himself at the receiving end of sudden adulation from Chinese football fans after his 11 saves in a June 11 World Cup Asian qualifying match denied Thailand and granted China - a spot among the final 18.

Grateful Chinese fans soon began showing up at, and cleaning out, his nasi lemak stall in Tampines and even transferred money to the business via its payment QR code.

Ironically, when Singapore played China in Tianjin in March during another World Cup qualifying match, Chinese football fans in the stands were anything but friendly, making anti-Singapore chants.

Videos of the war cry went viral, igniting a debate in which many Chinese criticised the fans for displaying poor sportsmanship. China won 4-1 in that match.

But the current instant fame has not quite sunk in for the Singaporean footballer, who hit the ground running in Shanghai with a series of appearances at three CapitaLand malls.

"It was unexpected and really huge," said Hassan in a hastily organised interview by the Singapore property group.

"I don't even have time to look at what's in my e-mail. It's been flooded the past few days. I missed my wife's messages as well when she texted me."