Daniel

Just to start off



My thoughts of being a Singapore Fan

People usually ask me a series of questions regarding local soccer, like "Why do you support Singapore? Their standard very low leh", "Why are you anti-European soccer?", "My friends all support Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, why are you the special one go support Singapore?". I'm already prepared to answer these questions. Firstly I feel proud to support Singapore, it is my national team, they belong to us Singaporeans in some way or other. It is the national identity one instills in himself that make him so 'special' among the others, but yet it is tough to find another Singapore fan so that I won't feel so 'alone'. In my opinion, it only boils down to the characters of the majority of this population. Having the sort of 'kiasu' mindset and supporting soccer with a higher standard and entertainment value. Now the questions I'm going to point out to the people are these: How much do you know about Singapore soccer which gives you the right to criticize them? What makes you think Singapore soccer does not match the global standard? You think it is very cool to laugh at and ridicule a Singapore fan? What if you were a Singapore player yourself? How would you feel having to face these sort of unnecessary critics? Have you even been to a Singapore stadium to watch a match and soak in the atmosphere? Because if you haven't you are being made a laughing stock at. You have not been there to enjoy the atmosphere of a local game, how could you enjoy watching a European match which is shown on TV? You think you know so much about these teams but I'm afraid you don't, why? Cuz you never even been to any stadium before. You think you keep your eyes glued on TV you will know EVERYTHING about those teams? Some of you people even worship those players like gods. When those teams come to Singapore, you will support THOSE PEOPLE instead of your own country. What does that tell you about your national identity? You might think you look cool supporting these players. But hey, those players in the dressing room would be laughing the crap out of you cuz they would just take you guys as TRAITORS. Do you think that if they win any trophies they will come to remember you people? I'm afraid not. But if you guys have the least bit of national pride, get out of this redundant kiasuism crap and just support our Singapore Lions, when time comes, when we win any silverware in which I'm sure we will, they would always remember us even though you might not support them. Why is that so? Simple, you are Singaporean, they are also Singaporean, whatever they celebrate, they will do it with the nation, that is what makes me proud of being a Singapore Fan Club member. Having to get through the Fan Club boundary is also an honour in my opinion. It shows that you have 'authority' over the public members, it also gives me a sense of belonging because I know this group of people supports the same team as me, I need not feel that lonely.
Moving on to the kiasu Singaporeans 'story'. It has been an obvious trend that Singaporeans only attend matches at the National Stadium only when the team is ABOUT TO WIN A TOURNAMENT. It is also believed that these thousands of people tend to call themselves 'loyal fans'. How interesting, having a LOYAL fan to watch ONCE IN A WHILE when Singapore is about to win a tournament. Until now I don't understand the need for kiasuism when it comes to soccer, like why the hell do you people only go for matches in which Singapore is bound to win and desert the stadiums when Singapore plays against top-notch teams? You mean you don't believe that Singapore can hit their standards? Tell you what, we would have long ago been BETTER than those top-notch teams had you people SUPPORTED THE TEAM ALL THE WAY. I mean do you know how demoralised the players will feel after seeing that the stadium is half-empty? Do you think they will still have that fired-up mood to play soccer? No they don't. In any country, support is always the main issue. Just take a look at Vietnam. They aren't really a good team, but look at their supporters, they have been with the team through thick and thin. Whichever country the team goes, these group of fans would follow the players to that particular country and cheer for them. They even embarrassed us Singapore fans when the Vietnamese team played at the National Stadium in 2007, cuz they had MORE fans than Singapore when Singapore is the HOST TEAM. You can just feel the humiliation now can't you? For a team worse than us, they had a bunch of relentless supporters who are patriotic, it's no wonder they won the Vietnam War! What do Singapore supporters have? Relentless support for the OPPOSING TEAM?! It happened before. 28/07/08, the Brazilian Olympic Team locked horns with the Singapore Lions in a Friendly Match to prepare the Brazilians for the upcoming Olympics. 33650 fans attended that match, majority of which donned yellow, the colours of Brazil and even had the cheek to carry the Brazil flag. When I interviewed these bunch of people, they said because Brazil is a good team and that they feel happy wearing the shirt of a winning team. Seriously, these are the bunch of people who dismay me the most, they made a mockery of themselves, revealing their national identity status. You guys think you all look cool wearing yellow during that match, but like what I said earlier, the opponents would be laughing at you people, thinking that you all are nothing but traitors to your own nation. You can happily wear yellow there, but let me ask you this, what is the colour of the coverpage of your passport, which is a personal document you will be holding for a long time to come? It really breaks my heart when I witness these sort of people, it is like your family against your friends but you chose to support your friends, neglecting the welfare of your own family. Don't you people feel ashamed now? Do you all still think you can go far just because you support a team with 'class'? Are those Brazilian players your gods to the extent that you have to lose your loyalty because of them? I told you all earlier, we would have been as 'classy' as them had you people supported them all the way and filled up the 55000-seater National Stadium all these while.
Talking about soccer leagues. In simplified terms, I would like to say that the English Premier League is corrupted with fans' unruly behaviour, the Italian Serie A is corrupted with match-fixing. Only the S-League is pure. To elaborate on my substansive. Look at Liverpool fans from the English Premier League. Time and time again there have been newspaper reports on their violent conduct, making them the WORST supported team in the world. If you think that is passion, I would wish to highlight the fact that passion does not require any violence that spoils the spirit of the game. You people have shown the world the dark side of soccer. If you were to compare the S-League and the English Premier League, there is a stark contrast between the S-League fans and English Premier League fans. One contrast is that the EPL fans often use cheers and chants instead of musical instruments, in the S-League, we do the opposite. Why do we do that? In case you do not know, cheers and chants might not only be meant for supporting your own team. Some can also be used to discriminate the opponent's team which infuriate their fans and very often, fights do break out because of little but silly things like these. However, in the S-League, we use musical instruments so as to avoid using any cheers that would spark a riot within the stadium compound. That is what made the supporters conduct in the S-League excellent. I am a Home United fan and a Singapore Lions fan, I join both fan clubs, in the S-League, opposing fans would only be enemies for that 90 minutes before we shake hands and become friends again after the matches. We are always united in the Singapore Lions Fan Club, our main aim there is to support the national team. We may be divided at club level, but do not forget, at national level, we are united as one. No hard feelings over club affairs. If it's Singapore playing, we'll just talk about Singapore, no clubs involved. If you look at the state the EPL is having now. One may fear that their unruly behaviour at club level may affect England's international matches. I can also picture England fans fighting among one another because of club affairs. I'm afraid that is not the spirit of the game we are looking for. I would wish to highlight the fact that soccer is governed by FIFA, not WWE. Talking about the Italian Serie A and their match-fixing scandals, these are also one of the antics that can spoil the spirit of the game. It is just saddening to know that players would not mind throwing the game just for that sum of money which they will earn ILLEGALLY. Come on, you players are no longer kids, you do not need to accept bribes just to do something that shows your greedy character, not your hunger for fame. As for the bookies, you think it's very cool to bribe the players and get your own 'dirty money' from the punters. But hey, you all have contributed to the already-tarnished image of the Serie A. Wake up Italy. Take a look at Singapore, we have something called "Singapore Pools" and yes, that company has LEGAL bookmakers. You can bet on soccer legally through these alternatives that prevent the risk of match-fixing and the destruction of the game. This is what makes the S-League pure. What we need now is as usual, the support from our very own Singaporeans just to make this already successful S-League even more successful. The S-League is named among the Top-10 leagues in Asia, do not let our poor support ruin our ratings and rankings. In fact, get more support from your family members and friends. Head down to stadiums to watch matches frequently. Who knows? In a matter of time, we would be Top 3 in Asia, we would then move into the global standards. You wouldn't know that would happen if you don't try. It's not that difficult to watch an S-League match than an EPL match is it? Like I said, in Singapore, it's not difficult to watch a soccer match as we are living here. It's much easier to travel from Tampines to Jurong West than from Singapore to England. The stadiums are fully accessible and much cheaper compared to watching matches in England. However, you Singaporeans just won't budge, you rather feel the 'atmosphere' from your TV on soccer matches happening elsewhere apart from Singapore. Wake up Singapore, get the much-needed support.

"We've got the hype, we aim real high!
We've got the hype, we aim real high!
Cos' we fight like the champions, just like olympians!
For honour, for glory, with passion, in VICTORY!

Go Singapore go! Go Singapore!
Go Singapore go! Go for gold!
Go Singapore we are ready!
Go Singapore for you and me!

For honour and glory
For nation and our country
Together you and me
A union for our victory!

Oh la la la leh lor, oh leh leh leh la SINGAPORE!
Oh la la la leh lor, oh leh leh leh la SINGAPORE!
Oh la la la leh lor, oh leh leh leh la SINGAPORE!
Oh la la la leh lor, oh leh leh leh la SINGAPORE!"
_____________________________________________

"Not long ago, at the crossroads
Where do we go? Can we make it on our own?
Some shook their heads, frowned in our faces
“What have you got? Can our cheerleaders stand tall?”

But then we weathered through the storms
And then we took the shot and built it up, and built it up
The beautiful game on our own

Cos’ it’s our league, it’s yours and mine
It’s Singapore’s, forever more
No kick too high, no goal too wide
Cos’ it’s our league, it’s yours and mine
You know you care, give it a try
Hold up with pride, S.League and I."

In conclusion, I just want to say that SUPPORT is the most important element into making a successful team. If you really think supporting Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool is good because these teams help you earn money from Singapore Pools, I feel sad for you people. This is because you misers chose money over loyalty, or should I put it in a way that you people put your loyalty for the money which is at stake and abandon the team which gives you a sense of identity. I just wanna say that the money you earn from betting on these teams are NOTHING compared to the loyalty and faith you put into the Singapore Lions. This is because LOYALTY IS PRICELESS. It's either you put it to good use or abuse it. You people who support the 4 EPL teams showed me that you had abused your loyalty and there goes your dignity.

"The S.League is Singaporeans’ own, and fans can add to the ambience of games. When the stadium is full, the game is lifted. We need fans to make the league viable."
A/P Ho Peng Kee, Football Association of Singapore (FAS)

"I support the mighty Singapore Lions, I am willing to break out sweat, bleed and even brave the storms and other forms of nature just to see them in action. The burning question is, do you?"

On A Brighter Note

Support
Is
Not
Going
Away,
People
Obviously
Roar
Everytime.

Love
Is
Our
Nation's
Success.

Singapore
Unites
People,
Poor
Or
Rich,
To
Everlasting &
Relentless
Support!

Read the first letter of each word downwards, what do you get? (:

You got it! Singapore Lions Supporters! Below are some video clips of performances by the Singapore Lions Supporters cheering on for the Lions. These are the group of people who give me a sense of belonging as we all support the same team. I don't have to feel so lonely after all as we are the group of people who have kept the faith and belief in the Lions until now and will be doing so all the way! Ladies and gentlemen, introducing the group of supporters involved in the Kallang Roar, the Singapore Lions Supporters! (: The first one would be a little 'documentary trailer' and the rest below would be what I took from matches myself.




Singapore 0-0 Australia (22/03/08)
Pre-match hype! (:


Singapore 2-0 Lebanon (26/03/08)
Pre-match hype! (:


Singapore 0-1 Bahrain (28/05/08)
Pre-match hype before National Anthems! (:


Singapore 0-1 Bahrain (28/05/08)
Pre-match hype after National Anthems! (:


Singapore 3-7 Uzbekistan (02/06/08)
Singapore Lions Fan Club celebrating Singapore's 2nd and equalizing goal from the spot! (:


Singapore 0-2 Saudi Arabia (14/06/08)
Pre-match hype! (:


when we believed.wma -

We begin our journey with our hopes held high
Because of you, I soar with wings to fly
As we heed the call, we're standing tall
Set our eyes on giving all our best

Drawing inspiration from our home so dear
Our desire to make our nation proud
We belong together, we're a team
Hand in hand, together as we dream

When we believe, we know that we can touch the sky
Yes we will achieve, our dreams are just within our reach
Our spirits soar, with love to share
And hearts that care
Because we dare to dream
When we believe

We begin our journey with our hopes held high
Because of you, I soar with wings to fly
As we heed the call, we're standing tall
Set our eyes on giving all our best

Drawing inspiration from our home so dear
Our desire to make our nation proud
We belong together, we're a team
Hand in hand, together as we dream

When we believe, we know that we can touch the sky
Yes we will achieve, our dreams are just within our reach
Our spirits soar, with love to share
And hearts that care
Because we dare to dream
When we believe

When we believe, we know that we can touch the sky
Yes we will achieve, our dreams are just within our reach
Our spirits soar, with love to share
And hearts that care
Because we dare to dream
When we believe