On the night of November 18th, the red sea of fans in the stands carried a hint of bitterness in the cool evening breeze outside Kai Tak Stadium. The Hong Kong team failed in their “Do-or-die” match at home, losing 1-2 to Singapore after being overtaken in the second half. Despite seven minutes of added time, Hong Kong team could not equalise, missing out on a spot in the AFC Cup qualifiers.
Similar to the match against Bangladesh last month, fans arrived three hours early, turning Kai Tak into a sea of red. To support the Hong Kong team, the Nike store near the stadium launched co-branded jackets, which sold out multiple times. The surrounding stalls inside the stadium were also bustling, with scarves and T-shirts printed with “Hong Kong Team Strong” becoming hot sellers again. Many fans also bought Tifo cheering towels, waving them in the stands to show their support.
The Ho couple, wearing team jerseys, also purchased souvenirs to support the Hong Kong team. They said, “I wasn’t able to attend the last match against Bangladesh, so I felt the atmosphere today would be even livelier, and we should break the attendance record.” When asked about their expectations for the match, they expressed, “Of course, we hope Hong Kong wins, but we know Singapore is a strong team. However, we’re not setting our expectations too high; perhaps that’s the best approach.”
A total of 47,762 spectators attended the match, once again setting a new record for Kai Tak Stadium. The stadium separated the home fan section from the general public, dividing it into upper and lower levels, with ticket prices ranging from HKD 80 to 200. Just 80 minutes after sales began, the Hong Kong Football Association announced on social media that all tickets had been sold out. The relatively affordable ticket prices also attracted many young families, hoping to let their children experience the live atmosphere.
Ms Chan, who was at the match for the first time with her children, said, “I used to watch the games with my husband, but this is the first time I’ve brought the kids. I hope they can feel the atmosphere and understand what a football match is all about, thus supporting the sport.”
In the 15th minute of the first half, Matt Orr scored with a header from a cross, putting Hong Kong ahead by one goal. After the break, Hong Kong’s defense began to show more gaps, and Singapore ramped up its offensive play. In the 64th minute, substitute Ikhsan Fandi provided an assist, allowing Shawal Anuar to score into the net, leveling the score at 1-1. Just minutes later, Ikhsan Fandi struck again from outside the box with a left-foot shot to give Singapore a 2-1 lead, a goal that Hong Kong’s goalkeeper Wang Zhenpeng was unable to stop. In the dying moments, Hong Kong made substitutions with Raphaël Merkies and Michael Udebuluzor in an attempt to turn the tide, but Singapore held firm and managed to secure a 2-1 victory.
As fans left the stadium, some expressed disappointment, noting the decline in Hong Kong’s physical fitness. Others, however, stated they would continue to support the team. Mr. Chung, a fan of over 40 years, sighed deeply before lightening the mood, saying, “We were already struggling in the later part of the first half; it was tough. But in the second half, fans could stay energized, be louder, and continue supporting the team.”
After the match, head coach Westwood and the players took a lap around the field to thank the fans. However, the comments section on the Hong Kong Football Association’s Instagram soon filled with calls for “Westwood Out,” with some fans criticizing his slow substitutions, noting that players’ energy was drained, which affected the outcome of the match. Westwood responded, “No one wants to progress more than me, the coaching staff, and the players, but many things are beyond our control. Never apologize for giving our best, never apologize for progressing and improving.”
