SINGAPORE: The excitement of the opening match in the 2027 Asian Cup qualification campaign turned into a frustrating evening for the Lions as they battled to a 0-0 stalemate against Hong Kong on Tuesday (Mar 25) at the iconic National Stadium.

Despite dominating possession, Singapore was unable to convert opportunities into goals, having two strikes ruled out for offside and squandering several chances. The draw signifies a continuing challenge for Singapore, which has never qualified for the Asian Cup based on merit, with its only historical appearance occurring in 1984 when it hosted the tournament.

In Group D of the qualifiers, Singapore faces stiff competition alongside Hong Kong, India, and Bangladesh. The stakes are high, with only the group leaders securing a spot in the prestigious 2027 Asian Cup. Currently, India leads the group with a FIFA ranking of 126, followed by Hong Kong (155), Singapore (160), and Bangladesh (185).

The clash against Hong Kong arrived on the heels of contrasting fortunes; the Lions were coming off a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Nepal in a friendly match, while Hong Kong enjoyed a seven-match winning streak leading up to this encounter.

Hong Kong's head coach Ashley Westwood reflected on the game, stating, “We expected a reaction from Singapore. There was always going to be a lift in desire and aggression, and it was a proper football match.” The last face-off between the two teams resulted in a 1-1 draw in a friendly two years ago.

Singapore started with intensity, with Lionel Tan finding the net just minutes into the match, only for it to be disallowed following an offside call. The Lions maintained good possession throughout the first half; however, they struggled significantly in the final third, with Hong Kong appearing surprisingly subdued, despite support from their traveling fans.

After the match, coach Tsutomu Ogura acknowledged the improvements made compared to their previous game but lamented the lost opportunity. “Our performance compared to the last game was much better, but we also dropped two points, which is true," he stated. Ogura emphasized the need for better execution in the penalty box, urging the team to sharpen their attacking instincts.

Winger Glenn Kweh showcased his talent, frequently driving down the right flank but was thwarted by a mix of miscommunication and strong goalkeeping from Hong Kong’s Yapp Hung Fai, particularly in the 25th minute when a promising cross was not converted into a goal.

In contrast, Westwood recognized his team’s lackluster first half, admitting they were outplayed in the midfield during those 45 minutes. “We were sluggish... our key players didn’t perform as expected. It took some candid conversations and motivation at halftime to get us back on track," he noted.

As the match progressed, Hong Kong emerged reinvigorated after the break, with Matt Orr nearly breaking the deadlock shortly after halftime, only to see his shot sail wide.

With crucial matches ahead, including contests against India and Bangladesh, Singapore's pursuit of their first Asian Cup qualification through merit remains an uphill battle. Fans are left wondering if the Lions can transform their promise into points as they advance in the qualifiers. Stay tuned for updates, as every match could define Singapore’s future in Asian football!