SINGAPORE (12 Dec 2012) – The Lions have qualified for three finals in the history of this prestigious tournament. And each time they did, they would emerge winners.
Today, Singapore are aiming for a fourth final appearance but before they do, they will have to brush aside contenders the Philippines in the second leg semifinal which kicks-off at the Jalan Besar Stadium here in a few hours.
For the record, Singapore were champions in 1998, 2004 and 2006. The only other team to win in three times were Thailand, who were champions in 1996, 2000 and 2002.
With three hours to the start and despite a heavy drizzle, die-hard fans have already started queuing up at the gates. The anticipation is running here in Singapore where fans are hoping today’s date 12-12-12 will be lucky for them. Some local papers have called for the Singaporeans to wear red to show their support for the team.
Coach Raddy Avramovic, who led Singapore to two AFF Cup titles, will be hoping his boys deliver so he can be the first coach to take his team to three finals, and possibly as many titles. “They must show their strength and deliver,” he had said at the Pre-Match Press Conference.
PAST RESULTS
1996
Final: Thailand bt Malaysia 1-0
3-4th: Vietnam bt Indonesia 3-2
1998
Final: Singapore bt Thailand 1-0
3-4th: Indonesia bt Thailand 3-3 (Ina won 5-4 on penalties)
2000
Final: Thailand by Indonesia 4-1
3-4th: Malaysia bt Vietnam 3-0
2002
Final: Thailand bt Indonesia 6-4
3-4th: Vietnam bt Malaysia 2-1
2004
Final (1st leg): Singapore bt Indonesia 2-1
Final (2nd leg): Indonesia lost to Singapore 1-3
3-4th: Malaysia bt Myanmar 2-1
2006
Final (1st leg): Singapore bt Thailand 2-1
Final (2nd leg): Thailand-Singapore 1-1
Losing semifinalists: Malaysia, Vietnam
2008
Final (1st leg): Thailand lost to Vietnam 1-2
Final (2nd leg): Vietnam-Thailand 1-1
Losing semifinalists: Singapore, Indonesia
2010
Final (1st leg): Malaysia bt Indonesia 3-0
Final (2nd leg): Indonesia bt Malaysia 2-1
Losing semifinalists: Philippines, Vietnam
