Golden season of Singapore football. National team finishes fourth in Bangkok Asian Games. Still considered its best-ever showing on international scene. Game signals arrival of Fandi Ahmad, the match winner. Fandi was in team.
Republic pulls out of competition at year end.
This tournament, instead of SEA Games, becomes contest for true champion of South-east Asia. History made when national team wins Tiger Cup in Vietnam, beating host 1-0 from a R Sasikumar goal. Usually I will be very quiet and not talk to anyone before an important game. For about three or four minutes, I will sit in the changing room and bow my head to pray. On that day, I prayed for a smooth game without any injuries and for victory.