Wednesday, January 31, 2007
There I arrived, 630pm at Kallang MRT.
I wasn't alone. The whole of Singapore arrived in full force, donning red shirts, flags and scarfs around them.
It was a pleasant sight. All Singaporeans coming together, heading towards the Grand Lady of Kallang before it would be removed to make way for the new Sports Hub in the later years..
so after 1 hour of waiting for my friends, i frantically called my other friend at the stadium, waiting for us. Hardcore he was. 'WHERE ARE YOU ALL?! IM GONNA MISS THE NATIONAL ANTHEM WALAU EHHH!!!!' he blasted through the earpiece in my phone. ' RELAC ONE CORNER LA YOU, WE COMING CAN?!'
'NO CANNOT!! I DIDNT COME AT 630PM FOR NOTHING!!'
wow, 630pm. the guy was really hardcore.
so after navigating through a mad sea of supporters, we got to the meeting place where my friend donned a blue Spore jersey, jumping up and down. He handed us the tics and went through a separate gate and lead us to our 'booked' seats.
However, the inner gates started closing. My hardcore friend started arguing with officials to let him (and us) in but to no avail. So after walking around in circles in a packed Kallang stadium for a whole 2o mins, we finally got to our seats. And good seats they were. Right smack in the centre, middle section. Perfect view.
in a way it was good. 10 mins after our seats, Singapore scored.
and we erupted like mad people who havent eaten in a 10 years.
another friend called and I had to go back to the gate to hand him his ticket. It involved asking an official to remember my face and my Man Utd jersey to get through a blocked route.
anyway, back to the match.
The Thais were wimps, going down at every other challenge.
We, the fans, shouted with frustration.
'BUTOOOOOOOOOO!'
'REF, YOU F***IN CB! OPEN YOUR F***IN EYES!!'
'REFEREE KAYUUUUUU!'
and booing of every thai player coming to take a corner kick.
but then, thailand equalised.
Spore fans screamed at a foul committed beforehand, the Thai fans didnt give a shit.
But in reality, we all knew Singapore was getting trashed at the counterattack.
Our bloody slow centre back was causing our team problems and our long ball tactics werent working.
until the 82nd minute, things turned.
Whether it was a fall or a trip, the ref pointed to the spot in the Thai box.
PENALTY!
55,000 (excluding thais) jumped up and hi-5ed each other, joy all around.
And then, the Thai players all one by one walked out.
WTF?! was the expression on everyone's faces.
intrigued, I rung up my friend who was watching the game at home.
Apparently, the childish Thais were fed up with the ref's unfair decision (and decisions throughout the game) and walked out.
Heck, even their coach was asking them to do so!
In all my years of watching, I never once witnessed such unprofessional, unsportsmanlike behaviour.
The fans were clearly incense.
'SAWADICARP CHEESEBUN!'
'BELIT KAMPUNG!'
'F*** OFF THAILAND!'
Those chants continued for 15 long minutes until things settled down and the Thai players got on the field.
We boo'ed them and then quickly hushed for the penalty...
...GOAL! 2-1!!
We were leading em' Thais again!!
and for 9 mins, every Thai player that touched the ball got boo'ed to no end.
At the final whistle, we made our voices heard.
The last match at kallang ended in a victory, no matter how contraversial, over the dominating leaders in the region.
we still have the 2nd leg, but damn it feels bloody good to beat a strong team on home turf.
as we walked out, brothers alike hi-5ed each other.
people stood on bikes and waved the flag.
man, 2 bucks for a tic for a worthwhile match.
i'll have this stuck in my head for a longass time.
if u didnt watch the match, shame on you.
that's the only time one can truely be Singaporean.
well, u can make up for it. the 2nd leg's this wkend or next week.
we're on Thai turf, but to the fans travelling, let your voices be heard.
SINGAPORE 2 THAILAND 1
WOOT!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sidney Sheldon, best selling author, has passed away at the age of 89.
I've read his books and its a pity.
rest in peace dude.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
woot!
my mail, for the 3rd time, has gotten in the mailbox of F365.com!
http://www.football365.com/mailbox/story/0,17033,8744_1884458,00.html <-copy and paste
The 2nd post
