Asian Cup spot gives Singapore football a boost, but sustaining momentum the true test: Ex-players, pundits

But other than the financial boost from the success, the intangible impact could be bigger.

The feat by the Lions will also inspire children and football fans to look up to a new generation of football heroes and aspire to be like them, said Rafi.

“For those who play football, representing Singapore should be the ultimate goal,” said Rafi, who had looked up to football players in the 70s and 80s on his way to becoming a national player in the 90s.

“We have to really cultivate this attitude in the younger ones.”

But more important is to sustain the momentum for years to come. Sasikumar recalled the same feeling of jubilation and hope when Singapore won the Tiger Cup in 1998, where he scored the match-winner.

“Even with the success of 1998, we should have leapfrogged and should have gone to the next level, but we didn’t,” he said. “I hope we don’t make the same mistake … this is a beautiful opportunity to take Singapore football to the next level.”

He said that the Asian Cup qualification is proof to those who doubted that progress in Singapore football is possible.

He looked back to the goal to get Singapore to the World Cup by 2034, which was announced in 2019.

“Everybody laughed, and everyone said we can’t even get to the Asian Cup, but we have,” he said. “So what’s next? Now the narrative has changed.”

Practical as Singaporeans may be, he hopes this achievement will convince more people –  from parents to policymakers – that the game is worth believing in.

“This is on another level, higher than what we have ever achieved,” he said.

“Now parents may think that it is worth sending their children to training, and the people in charge will put more resources into the game.”