“The second leg of the 2024 ASEAN Cup semi-final awaits Singapore, just three days after the team lost 0-2 in the first leg at Jan Besar Stadium. The Lions need at least two goals to have a chance to respond to Vietnam.
With the away goals rule not applied, even a 3-1 away win would only force Singapore into extra time. History is not on their side as Singapore have not beaten Vietnam since a 1-0 victory in the 1998 final,” the Straits Times commented in an article on December 28.
Writer Deepanraj Ganesan emphasized that “Singapore team will face a challenge on December 29”. He compared Singapore team defeating Vietnam team to enter the final of ASEAN Cup 2024 to climbing a high mountain.
In addition to the disadvantage of losing the first leg and having a poor head-to-head record, the Singapore team also had to quickly adapt to the weather in Phu Tho, where the temperature was around 17 degrees Celsius. In addition, the Lions (the nickname of the Singapore team) also had to face more pressure from nearly 20,000 Vietnamese fans.
But while they face many difficulties on their journey to the ASEAN Cup final for the first time since 2012, the Lions are not short of motivation. According to the Straits Times, the ASEAN Cup 2024 is the last chance for some of the veteran players to achieve regional glory.
Veterans like Safuwan Baharudin (33 years old), Shahdan Sulaiman (36 years old), Hariss Harun and Izwan Mahbud (both 34 years old) all want to win the ASEAN Cup again, after the first time in 2012.
Others like Nazrul Nazari (33), Faris Ramli (32) and Shawal Anuar (33) are racing against time to win their maiden title in this arena.
“I have a feeling this will be my last ASEAN Cup. As you get older, you accept that things change, you may not be called up so you cherish it more and if you have a chance to win, you have to hold on to it with both hands,” Shahdan Sulaiman.
Faris Ramli, who scored twice at the 2024 ASEAN Cup, described the second leg of the semi-final as the pinnacle of his career. “We know the quality of the Vietnamese team, but we also believe in our own quality,” he said.
The Singapore team believes in the coach's instructions and the plan. We need to show better collective strength, create more opportunities and make better use of them. I hope the players will give their all."
Singapore’s confidence was boosted by the return of naturalised midfielder Kyoga Nakamura from suspension. The Japanese-born player described himself as highly motivated to overturn the result in the second leg.
“I watched the first leg and understood Vietnam’s strengths and weaknesses. I hope I can change something on the pitch in the second leg,” he said.
The second leg of the 2024 ASEAN Cup semi-final between Vietnam and Singapore will take place at 8:00 p.m. on December 29 at Viet Tri Stadium, Phu Tho.