HONG KONG, 19 NOVEMBER 2025 – He was only on the Kai Tak Stadium pitch for a grand total of 26 minutes, but that was enough time for Ilhan Fandi to write the Lions Class of 2025 into the history books of Singapore football.
Coming on in the 56th minute of the penultimate Group C AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong, China, the 23-year-old forward registered a goal and an assist to send the Lions to their first-ever Asian Cup Finals on merit.
Those Ilhan contributions sparked a remarkable 2-1 comeback win that moved the Lions to top spot in Group C on 11 points. The Lions cannot be overtaken by Hong Kong, who have eight points but an inferior head-to-head record against them.
“I’m just feeling so grateful. This win is for everyone back home and for those who made the effort to support us here,” said an overjoyed Ilhan. “We are a small country but we never give up. We are Lions. I’m just happy that I can do anything for my team.”
Until Ilhan’s introduction, Singapore seemed to be just that bit short of fluidity and composure against Hong Kong and they found themselves trailing at the break after conceding in the 14th minute as Matt Orr ghosted behind Hariss Harun to head Everton Camargo’s cross past Izwan Mahbud in the Singapore goal.
The hosts had a gilt-edge chance to double their lead through Juninho just four minutes later, but a Hariss challenge seemed to put the winger off just enough to force him to head over the bar.
Singapore’s best chance of the half arrived in the 39th minute with Ryhan Stewart’s cut back mere inches away from finding an unmarked Song Uiyoung inside the Hong Kong penalty box.
Stoic defending ensured the Lions went into the break with just a one-goal deficit, and that set the platform for a turning of the tide.
After receiving the ball in the opposition defensive third in the 63rd minute, Ilhan lifted the ball with his weaker foot before sending Shawal Anuar through on goal with a well weighted defence-splitting pass. Shawal outran his defenders before he calmly lobbed the ball past Hong Kong goalkeeper Wang Zhenpeng.
The goal stunned the 47,762 fans – including the delirious 2,000 or so Singapore supporters – in the Kai Tak Stadium and they were left with more disbelief just four minutes later when Singapore took the lead for the first time.
Collecting a loose ball at the edge of the penalty box, Ilhan created a yard for himself before rifling a shot past Wang with his weaker left foot.
Strutting to the corner flag with cupped ears, Ilhan literally silenced the same fans that had taunted him as he was warming up.
Despite picking up an injury that forced him off the pitch in the 82nd minute, Ilhan’s impact – along with some stoic defending from his teammates – was enough to secure the Lions’ a ticket to Asian football’s grandest stage – the Asian Cup Finals, arguably the biggest accomplishment in Singapore football history.
Interim Head Coach Gavin Lee, who guided the Lions to qualification after taking the reins for the last three qualifiers following the departure of Tsutomu Ogura, believes this achievement was made possible by more people than just the players and staff at Kai Tak.
“This achievement wouldn’t be possible if not for the players’ physical education teachers in the past, their youth coaches and teachers – and of course Singaporean fans who stood with us every step of the way,” said the 35-year-old.
“This milestone is for everyone, for all Singaporeans, and I hope everyone will have a nice night tonight.”
“Now, it’s about fine-tuning that to be able to sustain it for the whole 90 minutes.”
