Asian Cup heartbreak for Hong Kong, joy unconfined for Singapore – as it happened
Shawal Anuar and Ilhan Fandi strike to send Singapore into Asian Cup for first time since 1984
What a big night of football that was, and it wasn’t just qualifying for the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia at stake. This was Hong Kong v Singapore, after all, where regional bragging rights come into everything from Lady Gaga to airports.
When Hong Kong qualified for the 2024 edition of the tournament, it was their first appearance since 1968. Singapore, meanwhile, will play in the competition for the first time since 1984.
Plenty of their supporters had made the trip, and were among a record crowd at Kai Tak Stadium.
The equation had been simple before kick-off: win and you’re in. Victory for one side spelled heartbreak for the other. And the evening of rising tension, questionable decision-making and tears we expected did not disappoint.
This was how the biggest football game for the city in years turned out.
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Reporting by Chuqin Jiang, Paul McNamara, Tom Bell and Josh Ball