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The win meant that the Lions secured their spot at the 2027 tournament in Saudi Arabia with one game left in their qualifying round.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Singapore’s only appearance at the Asian Cup was in 1984, when they took part automatically as hosts.<\/span><\/p>\n Among the excited fans trying to get as close as possible to the players was Hariss Harun\u2019s father, Mr Harun, who sat comfortably away from the fanfare with his three grandchildren.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m obviously happy for my son and happy for Singapore football,\u201d Mr Harun said.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNormally most of us don\u2019t see what\u2019s happening behind the scenes,\u201d the 64-year-old said. \u201cHis drive, love, passion and motivation for the game are what keep him going.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Mr Harun is looking forward to spending more time with his son, and to see what else can be done to \u201cmotivate him and drive him further\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A friend of the Hariss family, Ms Fatimah, also joined in the celebrations at the airport with her children.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cOne thing I can speak on is Hariss\u2019 consistency and determination. And that is translated both on pitch and when he\u2019s with his family.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s very strong-willed and his values are very inspiring,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Mr Velappakutty Gagan, a Team Nila volunteer for a decade, was one of the first fans to arrive at Changi Airport, more than an hour before the Lions landed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWhen I saw the game on TV yesterday, there was a lot of excitement and happiness,\u201d the 72-year-old said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n