Commentary: It’s time to ask ourselves exactly how important football is to Singapore
A genuine momentum has been generated for local football that was previously gasping for air, and more can be done, says former sports commentator Edwin Yeo.
The recent Asian Cup qualification has breathed new life into Singapore's football scene, sparking excitement among supporters. Head coach Gavin Lee and his team delivered a strong performance in the tournament, but they face a significant challenge in the upcoming FIFA ASEAN Cup next month, where the national team will be fielding their best players.
The Lions' victory over Thailand, the first win against the War Elephants since 2012, and their draws with defending champions Vietnam and Indonesia demonstrate an improvement in their play, especially Lee's addition of a level of sophistication to their passing game. However, doubts remain about whether Singapore has the necessary players and experience to compete at the highest level.
One potential solution is naturalisation, as Singapore currently only has two naturalised players. Perry Ng, a Liverpool-born player who has applied for citizenship via the Foreign Sports Talent Scheme, could be the key to taking the team to the next level. However, the question remains whether Singapore is truly investing enough in football to compete at the Asian Cup level, and whether the national stadium should be prioritized during tournaments and FIFA windows.
Written by urgent.news from CNA - Singapore's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
