Singapore’s Young Lions were hammered on the field by Malaysia by seven goals without a response, and then Singapore football took over the internet, with fans calling for heads to roll and accountability from the Football Association of Singapore (FAS).
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The defeat to Malaysia at the Southeast Asian Games men’s football tournament was Singapore’s worst defeat at the event since 1971 when it lost 8-1 to then Burma.
It was also the first time since the 1987 SEA Games in Jakarta that Singapore returned without any wins.
At the ongoing 2023 SEA Games in Cambodia, Singapore’s men failed to win a single match, and lost to both Vietnam and Thailand by 3-1 margins, and earned a point against Laos.
Young Lions coach Philippe Aw’s boys also did not score a single goal on their own, as both goals scored were own goals.
Aw, a former Home United player, said in his post-match comments to the Straits Times that there needs to be reflection and “if we don’t do anything going forward, we will just get worse.”
“This has been ongoing for years.
“Let’s see how we can help the next person do this job better.”
Aw was favoured for the Young Lions role over Aidil Sharin Sahak, who is now head coach of Indonesian side Persikabo Bogor.
PHILIPPE AW’S YOUNG LIONS FUTURE UP IN THE AIR
Aw did acknowledge that his future as Young Lions coach may be somewhat uncertain.
But he added that it is not as important as ensuring that his successor is given the support to succeed.
“Let’s look at the ecosystem, the process,” he said.
“I can step down and let someone else take over but we need to be fair to the next person who takes over.
“With regard to my future, it is not important at this current point.”
He said that the results in Phnom Penh were indeed eye-opening with a silver lining.
“The silver lining is that we have come in here and seen the difference in quality,” he said.
“I hope we go back and reflect and start doing things better and change for the better.”
MAIN PHOTO: FAS
