SINGAPORE, Oct 3 — Fans of Singapore’s national football team strongly criticised the Lions on social media after their devastating loss to Malaysia in the Fifa Asean Cup on October 1.

The fans, known as SingaBrigade, took to Instagram to issue “a warning” to the national team on Friday (October 2) after the 6-0 defeat to Malaysia at the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung, Indonesia.

“Halloween has come early and we have witnessed a horror show in Bandung,” the fans wrote in their statement to the Lions.

SingaBrigade took issue with the way the national football team played, saying that they could not accept “losing the way we did last night”.

They wrote that they saw a “flicker of fight” when Singapore initially only conceded two goals, but said the players “gave up” by the time Malaysia scored the third goal.

“All six goals were amateurish. It’s unacceptable,” the post said.

The fans reminded the national team about the looming AFC Asian Cup 2027 in less than 100 days, adding that the performance raised concerns ahead of the tournament.

“We are lambs who have been slaughtered, not Lions,” wrote the fans.

Despite the criticism, the supporters’ group reaffirmed its loyalty to the national team, saying it would continue to back the Lions regardless of results.

However, they added that they could not remain silent when “things aren’t right”.

“Wear our nation’s colours with pride, fight for every minute, and earn back

the faith you have lost last night!” the fans concluded, warning the team not to take their support for granted.

Focus shifts to AFC Asian Cup

Singapore’s defeat to Malaysia ended their campaign in the Fifa Asean Cup, with the Lions finishing third in the group on three points after conceding eight goals.

The Lions exited the tournament with only one goal in three matches, Harhys Stewart’s winner against Bangladesh on Sept 28.

Lions coach Gavin Lee had recently stated that he was seeking stronger opponents for his team, accepting that his side “don’t always win”, to prepare them for the AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia in January, where they are grouped with Australia, Iraq and Tajikistan.

‘From doubters to believers’

The Lions’ struggles in the Fifa Asean Cup came as a surprise to some fans following the team’s encouraging run in the Asean Hyundai Cup.

The team went unbeaten in the group stage, beating Cambodia and Timor-Leste while drawing with Indonesia and eventual champions Vietnam. They also recorded their first win over Thailand since 2012 in the second leg of their semi-final.

Following that match, Lee said: “I think we have turned a few doubters into believers, and that’s nice.”

In response to SingaBrigade’s post, Lee told AsiaOne: “We’re in a privileged position to have such a group that’s always there for us, that cares for us and naturally, because of that, demand more from us.”

Lee added that the Lions will “never take things for granted” and promised to give fans a better performance in future matches.

“We work very hard to earn this trust and relationship and we’re just very disappointed to have that sort of an outcome yesterday,” said Lee, adding that the team intends to regain the fans’ trust. — AsiaOne