The love affair between the Lions and their fans has rekindled in the past week, with national captain Hariss Harun admitting that the last two matches against China have helped "reignite the connection" after a torrid 14 months.
Under new coach Tsutomu Ogura, the national football team have given supporters cause for cheer and optimism with their performances against the Chinese, holding the 88th-ranked team to a 2-2 draw at home on March 21 before losing 4-1 in Tianjin five days later.
The two outings in the Asian Group C World Cup qualifier were Ogura's first tests in the hot seat, after his appointment on Feb 1.
They will next play South Korea at home and Thailand away in June.
The gritty displays by the Lions against a side ranked 68 places above them are a far cry from the grim state that Singapore football found itself in over a year ago, when the Lions lost 4-1 to Malaysia at the Asean Football Federation Championship in January 2023.
Last May, the Under-22 team were thrashed 7-0 by their Causeway rivals at the SEA Games and suffered a meek exit.
Boos and chants greeted Ogura's predecessor Takayuki Nishigaya during last November's 3-1 defeat by Thailand in the World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium.
This story is from the March 28, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the March 28, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
BTS' agency files legal complaint against Ador CEO Min Hee-jin
The South Korean agency behind K-pop sensation BTS filed a legal complaint on April 25 against its powerhouse subsidiary's head for allegedly orchestrating a plan to break away from the parent company.
Hamilton lives up to hype
The title character’s ambition and flaws are deftly portrayed in the award-winning musical
Two-door fan buys first four-door to go with fatherhood
Food tech founder and new father Alan Phua trades his BMW 2-series Coupe for a 5-series saloon
Audi Q4 e-tron proves small can be more
The compact electric sport utility vehicle is a refined and spacious five-seater despite being not much bigger than the Q3
MAX’S MAXIMUM TUNE-UP
S’porean adds I more title in preparations for the defence of his world c’ship crown
EPL still a three-horse race, insists Guardiola
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes it is still a three-horse race in the English Premier League, despite his team being in the driver's seat after their 4-0 thrashing of Brighton & Hove Albion on April 25.
National Training Centre move pays off for Samuel
Gymnast Samuel Loh is now reaping the rewards after conquering his fears by joining the National Training Centre (NTC) in 2023.
EMBIID HAS BELL'S PALSY, BUT DROPS 50
He confirms the diagnosis after helping the Sixers cut the Knicks’ play-off lead to 2-1
Singapore factory output falls 9.2% in March
Drop is biggest in 7 months and far sharper than analysts’ forecast
Satellite communications provider Viasat to push further into Asia
Region is fastest-growing market in this area; Singapore will play key role in company’s plans
