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E-mail Xinhua, June 13, 2024
Singapore's football fans might rue their national team's 3-1 loss to Thailand on Tuesday in the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifiers, but many Chinese are lauding the Singaporean team on the internet for playing a role in keeping China's World Cup hopes alive.
China lost 1-0 to South Korea away on Tuesday but still squeezed into the third stage of Asian qualifying campaign by finishing ahead of Thailand on the head-to-head record after both sides collected eight points with the same goals for and against in Group C.
In Bangkok, Thailand beat Singapore 3-1 on goals from Suphanat Mueanta, Poramet Arjvirai and Jaroensak Wonggorn. Singaporean goalkeeper Hassan Sunny's spectacular saves denied the home side a fouth goal and a berth into the next stage.
The hashtag "China reaches last 18 of the World Cup Qualifying" trended No. 1 on social media platform weibo, having accumulated 340 million views. A post of "Thank Singaporean buddies" racked up more than 10,000 likes.
"Singapore went all out to send China into the next stage," commented a netizen called "follow good advice readily."
While thousands of Chinese fans hailed Singapore's heroics, Sunny earned most shout-outs.
"Thailand would have scored seven goals if not for him!" said a comment.
"The Chinese national team have to thank the goalie," another said.
Many Chinese fans said that they must visit Sunny's food shop if they travel to Singapore.
They made such a big fuss on internet that Sunny himself replied with a short clip of saying "Xiexie (thanks), China". The clip went viral online and was flooded with comments from grateful Chinese fans.
Excited Chinese netizens even flocked to Singapore Tourism Board's weibo account to express their gratitude.
"Thank you! I wanna travel to Singapore," read a comment.
The draw for the third stage of the World Cup Asian Qualifiers will take place on June 27, with 18 teams competing for 8 and 1/2 berths in the World Cup finals.
China's only appearance at the FIFA World Cup was in 2002, when the tournament was co-hosted by South Korea and Japan.
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