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Sunday, January 28, 2007
kallang spirit

I don't know where to start sia.
Ok i will start from Kallang MRT station.

We were blindly following the crowd into the stadium.
It was drizzling and all hope it doesn't get heavier.

Everywhere in stadium, you could feel like as if its a wrestling fatal-four-way between Liverpool, Arsenal, Manu and Singapore. These jerseys were easily spotted anywhere and everywhere. A plain sea of red. Not exactly, some were in their foreign colours.

Enter the 34 years old fortress, you will experience a different emotion. Not always our stadium witness a sell-out, and it could not have scripted any better. The block facing the grandstand were filled. We have to be contend with a seat at the corner of the stadium. Great view of the goal. 1 hour. We waited an hour for the kick-off.

The match get underway. No goals till half-time. But the fierce rivalry between the Malaysian fans and The Lions were red hot. All free-kicks awarded to the opposition were booed and yellow card given to were applauded by the Singapore fans. One funny taunt was the "Buto" chant. Whenever the Malaysia players perform their Wayang the SG fans will go: *9 honks* *Por Por Por Por Por Por Por Por Por* BUTO! HAHAH.
The Kallang Wave was also lashed across the terraces. There was no way the Malaysians can "out roar" us.

The match resume. Play was scrappy and passes made by the Lions were awful. It was only matters of times the Malaysian score if they continue playing inferior football. The worst came at the hour mark, a blunder from Lionel Lewis put Singapore one down. The goal silence the crowd, only cheers from the malaysia camp could be heard. Instead of turning their heads against the Lions, the home crowd cranked up the volume and inspire them to claw back on the 80th min.

A long ball was sent into the Malaysian penalty box and there were confusion on the ball between players on the pitch. From our view, we could not see properly what was going on but we knew Singapore was piling on the pressure. Fans were on their feet. Then ... GOAL! The goal shoke the whole stadium and sent the SG fans into wild celebrations and raptures. This time round, the stadium was deafening. Chants of Ole Ole Ole Ole were united and thunderous.

With the unstoppable force behind the Lions, anything is possible. Both teams came close to finding the winner but the match have to be decided by the heart-stopping penalties shoot-out.

All five of SG penalty takers made their effort counted but Shi Jia Yi kick made my heart stop for 2 seconds. Phew! That was close, his shot went under the keeper and into the net. Every spot kick by the Lions were encouraged by the chants. The Malaysians weren't that lucky, their shouts were covered up by our boos and cat calls. The last Malaysia "I-don't-know-Who" taker had the most pressure. He must score or they will be out. We were putting our hands over each other shoulders hoping he will miss. Indeed, he was freaked out by our jeers. Lionel Lewis made the save. WE ARE THRU TO THE FINAL!

The Malaysia player landed on his knees, the Lions rushed toward Lewis, the SG fans scream and roared. The stadium was at its loudest since the final 2 years ago. Chants of Ole Ole continued into the night, even when we were existing the stadium after the match.

So proud to be there and counted as the 12th man. Lions roar! GRRRR!
I must get the finals tickets now.

Cheers.

1 hr before the match

A filled stadium equals fortress

Tensed. Raynald, Bambang n my bro.

12:09 pm .