Football in Singapore

History

The first football match in Singapore were between two teams of British engineers in 1889. The Singapore Amateur Football Association (SAFA), under its current name Football Association of Singapore, was formed in 1892 by a group of British in colonial Singapore.

In 2022, FAS announced that plans to implement video assistant referee (VAR) technology were started since late 2021 and VAR technology will be in use in the near future. In 2023, FAS announced that VAR technology will be used by the SPL for the 2023 Singapore Premier League season.

Goal 2010

Goal 2010 was an objective set by then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong in 1998, for the national team to reach the 2010 FIFA World Cup. However, the goal was not met.

Last year I told you Singapore would never have a chance in the World Cup, because the rules require all players to be citizens. But after watching the French victory, I have changed my mind. Maybe if we change our immigration criteria to bring in top football talent and make them citizens, then one day we too can get into the finals. In fact we intend to do just this, to bring in sports talent."|author=Goh Chok Tong|source=National Day Rally 1998 Speech|title=commenting further on GOAL 2010}}

Malaysia Cup

Main article: Malaysia Cup

Joining the Malaysia Cup in 1921, known as the Malaya Cup at that time, Singapore were the champions of the inaugural competition. They would further succeed in getting 24 titles for themselves during their time in the competition from 1921 to 1994, a span of 74 years. Singapore submitted a representative team, which operated like a football club more than a national football team. It was called the Singapore FA. The competition helped bring the likes of Fandi Ahmad and Dollah Kassim, with the former being the only Singaporean to have played for European clubs – FC Groningen and OFI.

National teams

The Football Association of Singapore organises the men's, women's and youth national teams. The men's senior team is the second most successful team in the AFF Championship with 4 titles (1998, 2004, 2007 and 2012). The youth team claimed bronze in the football event of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games, and was runner-up and second runner-up for the 23rd Lion City Cup.

Stadium

Main article: National Stadium, Singapore, Jalan Besar Stadium

The former National Stadium was the home of the Singapore national team. The team moved to Jalan Besar Stadium after the former ground was demolished in 2011 for the multi-purpose sports complex Singapore Sports Hub. After its completion in 2014, the team concurrently uses both the new National Stadium and Jalan Besar Stadium as their home grounds.

References

References

1. [http://www.fas.org.sg/fas/history-football History of Singapore Football] {{webarchive. link. (26 August 2011 . Fas.org.sg. Retrieved 15 August 2011.)
2. "National Day Special 2016: In search of Singapore's national sport".
3. https://thechamplair.com/soccer/popularity-study/
4. https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/most-popular-sport-by-country
5. [http://www.voxsports.net/malaysia-cup-%E2%80%93-singapore-is-back Singapore is Back!]. Voxsports.net (12 July 2011). Retrieved 15 August 2011.
6. "Lion City Sailors FC are 2021 AIA Singapore Premier League champions".
7. Lee, David. (2022-03-16). "Football: S'pore Premier League to implement video assistant referee in 'near future'". [[The Straits Times]].
8. Ang, Ervin. (2023-01-27). "Football: S’pore Premier League to use VAR for 2023 season". [[The Straits Times]].
9. "Singapore launches national project to rebuild football foundation for future success".
10. [http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/speeches/view-html?filename=1998082302.htm Prime Minister's National Day Rally Speech, 1998.] National Archives of Singapore. Retrieved 2017-08-17.
11. [http://www.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20100827-234228.html Singapore Sports Hub to open by April 2014]. Asiaone.com (27 August 2010). Retrieved 15 August 2011.