SINGAPORE: The tickets for Singapore's highly anticipated ASEAN Championship semi-final match against Vietnam sold out in record time, just over six hours after sales commenced on December 22.

The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) issued a stark warning to fans against purchasing from ticket resellers, emphasizing that those with counterfeit or invalid tickets risk being denied entry to the event.

Long lines formed at the Jalan Besar Stadium well in advance of the ticket sales debuting at noon, with some dedicated fans camping overnight in anticipation.

Tickets for the match were priced in three categories, starting at S$24 (approximately US$18) for the lowest tier and going up to S$49 for the premium seating. This on-site only ticket policy was introduced by FAS to promote fair distribution among supporters.

By around 1:20 PM, the FAS communicated via Instagram that "tickets are flying off the shelves," and moments later advised latecomers not to join the queue to avoid disappointment.

At 6:30 PM, they confirmed the complete sell-out via their social media platforms.

Cautious of the secondary ticket market, the FAS strongly advised fans against purchasing tickets from unauthorized sellers.

Checking listings on e-commerce platforms like Carousell revealed multiple postings for match tickets, with prices spiking between S$60 and S$95, far above the original sales price.

Tickets designated for away fans will be available on the day of the match starting at 3 PM.

FAS has also made it clear that any away supporters found in areas reserved for home fans will be removed from the stadium.

The first leg of this thrilling semi-final is set to kick off at 9 PM on Thursday at the 6,000-seat Jalan Besar Stadium, drawing mixed reactions from fans who expressed regret over the smaller venue.

Many took to social media to voice their concerns, with calls for FAS to have secured the National Stadium ahead of time.

This venue change occurred due to prior bookings for concerts, leaving the National Stadium unavailable for the tournament.

In an impressive show of appreciation, the first ten fans in line, who had braved the wait for over 16 hours, were surprised by Lions captain Hariss Harun with four complimentary tickets each.

“Thank you to all our fans for your tremendous support! Our sincerest apologies if you weren’t able to secure a seat as tickets are selling fast,” the FAS expressed on their Facebook page, along with heartwarming photos of Hariss engaging with the supporters.

Hariss also took to Instagram to convey his gratitude.

"In my 17 years of representing the nation, I know we are nothing without the fans," he remarked, highlighting the importance of fan support in the team’s journey.

Singapore advanced to the semi-finals after a 0-0 draw against Malaysia, marking their best performance in the tournament since 2021.

Finishing second in their group behind Thailand, the Lions moved ahead, while Vietnam emerged as Group B champions, dominating Myanmar with a stunning 5-0 victory.

In the other semi-final, Thailand will compete against the Philippines, promising an exciting tournament ahead.

Fans can look forward to catching the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024, which will be available live and on-demand for free from December 8, 2024, to January 5, 2025, through mewatch.