12-6-2024 (SINGAPORE) Chinese football fans have found themselves indebted to Singapore’s national goalkeeper, Hassan Sunny, for his outstanding performance in the 2026 World Cup Asian qualifier match between Singapore and Thailand on June 11th.
With China’s World Cup hopes hanging by a thread after their 1-0 loss to South Korea, the country’s fate rested on the outcome of the Singapore-Thailand clash. To advance to the next round, Singapore could not afford to lose by three or more goals against their Southeast Asian rivals.
As the match unfolded, Hassan Sunny emerged as the unlikely hero for Chinese fans, delivering a series of crucial saves that ultimately kept the scoreline at 2-0 in Thailand’s favor, allowing China to progress on the away goals rule.
Chinese football enthusiasts, who had held their breath in anticipation, were quick to praise Hassan’s remarkable 11 saves, including a point-blank stop from Thai player Jaroensak Wonggorn in the 85th minute. On the popular Chinese sports app Hupu, Hassan was hailed as a “top-notch goalkeeper” and “the King of Football of the people,” earning a perfect 10/10 rating.
The appreciation for Hassan’s heroics extended beyond mere words, as Chinese fans learned of his ownership of a nasi padang food stall, “Dapur Hassan,” located in Tampines, Singapore. Driven by a desire to express their gratitude, the fans took the initiative to circulate the stall’s QR payment code, prompting an outpouring of financial support.
One elated fan from Shanghai shared his joy with Sina News, revealing that he had transferred S$50 (approximately 268.88 yuan) to Hassan’s stall, deeming the sum auspicious and a small price to pay for his love of the Chinese football team.
Screenshots shared with Sina News showcased transfer amounts ranging from S$1 to S$100, a testament to the widespread appreciation for Hassan’s efforts among Chinese football enthusiasts.
In response to the overwhelming support, Hassan expressed his gratitude in a video, saying “Xie Xie (thank you in Mandarin), China!” while his teammate, Ilhan Fandi, playfully quipped, “He saved China ah.”
The admiration for the Singapore team extended beyond Hassan, as Chinese fans flooded the Weibo page of the Singapore Embassy in China, expressing their gratitude and praising the team’s “greatness.” Many even vowed to visit Singapore this year to boost tourism.
This unexpected bond between Chinese football fans and the Singapore national team highlights the unifying power of sport, transcending borders and fostering an appreciation for remarkable performances, regardless of nationality.
