Lions return to warm welcome

Source

SINGAPORE - The victorious Singapore football team returned home to a warm reception yesterday. On Thursday, the Lions held on for a 1-1 draw with Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur to clinch a 6-4 win on aggregate over a two-leg World Cup qualifier.

As the 23-strong squad streamed into the arrival hall at Changi Airport Terminal 2 at around 1.30pm yesterday, more than 50 fans, some with the Singapore flag draped over their shoulders, surged towards the gate, shouting: "We are proud of you" and "we love you Raddy".

"It's absolutely great," national coach Radojko Avramovic told Today. "The boys deserve this, they showed in the last two games that they fought as a group and it means a lot for them to qualify, and people here really appreciate that."

The players acknowledged the waiting crowd, waving and giving them the thumbs-up. Autograph hunters thrust their books and papers into the paths of the players, while others sought out their favourite players for photographs. There were hugs and handshakes, with goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud, 21, and midfielder Hariss Harun, 20, among the most sought-after.

Izwan, who had just earned his third senior cap, looked embarrassed when a fan presented him with a bouquet of flowers.

Hariss, a colossus in midfield with Mustafic Fahrudin, was also besieged by the crowd, and one couple even had him carry their baby for a photo shoot.

The victory over Malaysia ensured the Lions qualified for the third round of the competition, which will see the top 20 Asian countries competing in five groups of four teams each, starting in September.