Football: Singapore Lions Keep AFC Asian Cup 2027 Dream Alive with 2-1 Win in India
- SportPlus News
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Song Ui-young brace stuns India as Lions close in on qualification for Saudi Arabia 2027
Goa, India – October 15, 2025 — Singapore’s AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualification hopes remain alive after a thrilling 2-1 away victory over India at the Fatorda Stadium.
A brilliant brace from Song Ui-young sealed a vital win for Gavin Lee’s men, who now sit second in Group C, level on points with leaders Hong Kong, but trailing only on goals scored.
The result — coupled with Hong Kong’s 1-1 draw against Bangladesh — means both India and Bangladesh have been eliminated from contention, while Singapore will head into a potential winner-takes-all clash against Hong Kong on November 18 at Kai Tak Stadium.
Singapore Redeem Themselves After Costly Draw in Singapore
Just a week earlier, at the Singapore National Stadium, the Lions had let a crucial victory slip away in a 1-1 draw against India.
After Ikhsan Fandi had given Singapore the lead early in the second half, a mistimed back pass late in the game allowed a 10-man India side to snatch a point, leaving Singapore frustrated. That result had left qualification hopes hanging by a thread — making tonight’s victory in Goa all the more significant.
Match Summary: India 1–2 Singapore
India began brightly under Khalid Jamil, who promised an attacking display before kickoff. Their intent showed early on, and after sustained pressure, Lallianzuala Chhangte opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a stunning 30-yard strike that rocketed into the top corner past Izwan Mahbud.
The hosts dominated possession, with Chhangte and Liston Colaco tormenting the Singapore defence down the flanks. But despite several gilt-edged chances, India’s wastefulness proved costly.
Just before half-time, Singapore made them pay. Irfan Najeeb delivered a deep cross that found Glenn Kweh, who laid it off neatly for Song Ui-young. The midfielder calmly slotted home into the bottom corner to level the scores at 1-1 heading into the break.
Singapore grew into the game after halftime and began exploiting India’s high defensive line. In the 58th minute, Ikhsan Fandi brilliantly held up play and released Shawal Anuar, who squared the ball across for Song to blast home his second of the night from a tight angle.
India pushed forward desperately, introducing attacking reinforcements including Brandon Fernandes and Udanta Singh, but failed to break down a resolute Singapore defence. Gavin Lee’s men held firm under pressure, showing grit and discipline to see out a famous away win.
Gavin Lee: “I’m very, very pleased with the boys.”
After the final whistle, head coach Gavin Lee hailed his team’s resilience and response following last week’s setback in Singapore.
“I was very, very pleased with the boys, because I knew how much we hurt after the first game — especially playing at home and not bringing home the three points, it hurt a lot,” Lee said. “And for us to go out there, and come back after going one goal down to get a win, I am just very happy for them.”
Lee’s words summed up the pride and spirit within the camp as the Lions continue to defy expectations in their pursuit of Asian Cup qualification.
Position | Team | Played | Points | Goal Difference |
1 | Hong Kong | 5 | 8 | +3 |
2 | Singapore | 5 | 8 | +2 |
3 | India | 5 | 4 | -2 |
4 | Bangladesh | 5 | 3 | -3 |
Next Up: Decisive Clash in Hong Kong
The Lions now turn their attention to their final group match — away to Hong Kong on November 18 — in what could effectively decide who books their ticket to Saudi Arabia 2027.
With both sides level on points, only separated by goal difference, Singapore will qualify if they win. Gavin Lee’s men will enter that fixture full of confidence after back-to-back strong performances, knowing that 90 more minutes of discipline and belief could take them to Asia’s grandest stage for the first time since 1984. #SgFootball #AFCAsianCupQualfiers #TeamSG