Singapore football fans: What happened to all the 门神 worshippers?
18 November 2025. A football match between Singapore and Hong Kong. Singapore’s Ilhan Fandi spent less than half an hour on the pitch at Kai Tak Stadium — yet somehow, that was all the time he needed to flip the script. He came on in the 58th minute with Singapore trailing by a goal. By the 85th, he was being stretchered off, grimacing from injury. And in between those two moments — the hope and the hurt — he produced a goal that turned what looked like another familiar disappointment into something almost historic.
When the dust settled, Singapore had beaten Hong Kong 2–1. Not a lucky break, not a consolation win — but the result that finally punched our ticket to the AFC Asian Cup. Not by invitation. Not by default. But by merit. Three points clear at the top of Group C. Head-to-head advantage secured. Even if Bangladesh somehow trip them up in March, it won’t matter — Singapore will still finish first.
When the final whistle went, the reactions said everything. Some players froze and stared upwards as though the sky itself needed informing. Others ran wildly, arms out, searching for someone — anyone — to hug, shout at, or shake. It wasn’t just a win. It was a reminder that every now and then, football gives us a story no scriptwriter would dare submit — because it would sound too far-fetched. Something no one dared to dream about had become a reality. Ilhan Fandi is a true football hero and he might become a legend – just like his father. Wait a minute. Where’s our 门神 Hassan Sunny?
Where our government controlled media had failed, social media granted us some semblance of a Fourth Estate. It has become so powerful that today’s social media influencers totally outshine our TV personalities. Yes, you just need to shake your booty for 10 seconds and people will trust your health tips more than their doctor’s advice. That’s how a mediocre goalkeeper like Hassan Sunny managed to deified as 门神.
So what did Hassan Sunny do for Singapore football? Nothing. In the match that made him the darling of Chinese football fans, Singapore lost 3-1 to Thailand at the Asian World Cup last year. Did he do anything for China’s football team? Well, nothing purposeful as well. It’s like your son who has zero chance of being selected in an audition competes against Peter who needs to beat your son by 3 points to kick Paul out of contention but Peter only manage to better your son’s score by 2 points. Hurray, your son lost but Paul is still in contention. Paul’s parents calls your son a hero and showers him with gifts and money, making you look like a bad parent.
Curiously, the fever spread faster than COVID. Nobody had time to think or reason. Even our Singapore football fans participated in the madness. Even our ong lai president visited Hassan’s nasi lemak stall. My goodness, is all this real? Just look at all the negative comments I got on the YouTube videos I made on this ludicrous episode. Some netizens accuse me of being jealous of Hassan. Frankly, I’m not a football fan just as I’m not crazy about war history but I just realised that these topics vividly expound the madness of the crowds.
It’s quite telling when Hassan announced his retirement from Singapore football. He and the stakeholders knew in their hearts that Hassan’s rise to stardom had nothing to do with his footballing skills. It’s all because of an illogical attribution. Might as well take advantage of the fever and pivot towards something unrelated before people come to their senses.
Ilhan Fandi has a much more difficult task ahead of him if he really wants to play to win for Singapore football and not lose by just so much that the Chinese team gets a leg up.