Singapore vs Malaysia - Not water, it's football!
Football matches between Singapore and Malaysia are intense and passionate affairs. I agree with the legendary Bill Shankly. It is more important than life and death.
I used to love Singapore soccer. Back then, the likes of Dollah Kassim, Samad Allapitchay, Quah Kim Song, Mat Nor, Crazy Horse, Edmund Wee…. to Fandi, Sundram, David Lee, Malek Awab, the late Borhan, Abaas, Edwards, Vana, Foster, Spink. Those were the good old days. Singapore taking on Malaysian state teams. Matches between Kedah, Selangor, Pahang, KL was a must-go thingie at Kallang. Going for Malaysia Cup matches across the Causeway is always a dangerous incursion. I remember it rained stones one night at the Larkin Stadium.
I was nuts over local football back then…. Then came the S-League. I stopped watching local football completely. I could rattle names of our soccer players from the past quite easily. I can’t even name one single player in our national team right now. Why, the complete lack of interest in our local football scene? I wonder…
Remember the Ovaltine Cup, Merlion Cup back then? There was this particular match between Singapore and Malaysia during the Aiwa Merlion Cup days in December 1992. Boy, it was a memorable match. Singapore beat Malaysia 3-0. The scoreline wasn’t flattering. It was the manner in which the Malaysians were outplayed and totally outclassed. Lim Tong Hai aka Mr Own Goals was in his element that night. Playing like Baresi, he even scored! Hasnim Haron covered every blade of grass at Kallang that night. He probably outsprinted everyone. His goal was a real gem, running two-thirds of the pitch and shooting past goalie Khairul. The final goal for that night….fittingly was by Singapore’s favourite son, Fandi. It was like winning the Malaysia Cup.
Despite all the football rivalry, I love the late Mokhtar Dahari and Towkay Soh Chin Aun. They are simply the best!
I used to love Singapore soccer. Back then, the likes of Dollah Kassim, Samad Allapitchay, Quah Kim Song, Mat Nor, Crazy Horse, Edmund Wee…. to Fandi, Sundram, David Lee, Malek Awab, the late Borhan, Abaas, Edwards, Vana, Foster, Spink. Those were the good old days. Singapore taking on Malaysian state teams. Matches between Kedah, Selangor, Pahang, KL was a must-go thingie at Kallang. Going for Malaysia Cup matches across the Causeway is always a dangerous incursion. I remember it rained stones one night at the Larkin Stadium.
I was nuts over local football back then…. Then came the S-League. I stopped watching local football completely. I could rattle names of our soccer players from the past quite easily. I can’t even name one single player in our national team right now. Why, the complete lack of interest in our local football scene? I wonder…
Remember the Ovaltine Cup, Merlion Cup back then? There was this particular match between Singapore and Malaysia during the Aiwa Merlion Cup days in December 1992. Boy, it was a memorable match. Singapore beat Malaysia 3-0. The scoreline wasn’t flattering. It was the manner in which the Malaysians were outplayed and totally outclassed. Lim Tong Hai aka Mr Own Goals was in his element that night. Playing like Baresi, he even scored! Hasnim Haron covered every blade of grass at Kallang that night. He probably outsprinted everyone. His goal was a real gem, running two-thirds of the pitch and shooting past goalie Khairul. The final goal for that night….fittingly was by Singapore’s favourite son, Fandi. It was like winning the Malaysia Cup.
Despite all the football rivalry, I love the late Mokhtar Dahari and Towkay Soh Chin Aun. They are simply the best!
posted by The Quiet Stone at 12:44 PM
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