Singapore News
Poor ticket sales for 2nd leg of S'pore-M'sia football tieBy Patwant Singh | Posted: 24 July 2011 2250 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore beat Malaysia 5-3 in their Asian Zone World Cup Qualifier at the packed 6,000-seater Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday night.
It was the highest scoring match between the teams in recent history.
The second-leg is on Thursday at the 85,000 capacity Bukit Jalil stadium in Malaysia.
But sadly only 358 tickets out of the 2,000 allotted to Singapore have been sold. Ticket sales which started on July 20 ended on Sunday.
A spokesperson for the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) said there could be some Singaporeans who might travel to Malaysia and purchase tickets at the stadium.
Metres away from the ticketing counter at Jalan Besar Stadium, a temporary stand has been set up, selling tickets and tour packages, which includes transport and lodging.
The operator has some 260 orders so far, and offers a reason for the slow response.
"This game play (is) on a weekday (and) there is a big problem, like children have to go school, so they (parents) have to arrange for somebody to send the children to the school and that kind of thing. But if it is played on a weekend, it's fine for more Singaporeans to join the package and to support the national team," said Akbar Hashim, organiser and project coordinator for Singapore Die-Hard Fans.
Akbar added that Singaporeans generally like to get their tickets at the last minute, so he's confident to sell his entire lot of 300 tickets over the next few days.
Despite the weekday issue, one ardent supporter is opting to bring his entire family - including wife, three kids and three brothers - for the experience.
"I have been supporting them since I was young; since Mokhtar Dahari that time, I go with my father. So I think yesterday was one of the best team, that I've ever watched them play," said Singapore football fan Muhammad Azman.
The fact that the match is being shown 'live' on TV could be another factor for fans reluctant to travel north to root for the team.
And many in the fraternity expect a tougher game for the Lions in Malaysia.
"Though they have scored five goals, they conceded three goals at the back because of silly mistakes. And because of the silly mistake, Malaysia will have an advantage with the away goals in the second leg," said Dinesh Nedumaran, who plays for the Home United FC U-16 Team.
- CNA /ls
Football: S'pore Lions leave for Malaysia matchBy Dylan Loh | Posted: 25 July 2011 1612 hrs
SINGAPORE: Singapore's Football Association is not extending the ticket sales period for the Singapore versus Malaysia match this Thursday at Malaysia's Bukit Jalil Stadium.
Only 358, or under a quarter of 2,000 tickets allotted to Singapore, were bought when sales closed Sunday.
Unsold tickets will be returned to Malaysia's Football Association under an agreement.
Some of those who had tickets sent the Lions off to Kuala Lumpur Monday morning, undeterred despite reports of scuffles between supporters from both sides during the first leg of the World Cup second round qualifying showdown.
Singapore fans are heading to Malaysia under a tour package that includes match tickets and transport.
"(We'll) just cheer as we always do in Singapore. Nothing to fear. Everything we do as a group, cheer as (per) normal!", said Singapore Lions fan, Yanalee.
The Lions need support in abundance as each country fights to get closer to football's biggest stage.
"We have good chances of going to the third round of the qualifiers...but we take each game just like another game," said Singapore Lions skipper Shahril Ishak.
- CNA/cc
Source:
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/spo...1142901/1/.htmlThis post has been edited by newbi3s: Jul 25 2011, 05:51 PM 
Malaysia vs Singapore 28 July 2011 (WCQ 2nd Leg), 8.45pm 28 July @ Bukit Jalil (Sold Out) 
Jul 25 2011, 01:14 PM, updated 15y ago
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