Singapore Armed Forces FC reached the promised-land of the AFC Champions League and elevated themselves on par with Asia’s finest for the very first time as they scarcely overcame Indonesia’s PSMS Medan 2-1 to advance through to the group stages for the nation's very first time. The spectacle ignited into animation after the initial 90 minutes were complete as SAF were forced to deliver in extra-time, aided in their cause when two PSMS players were sent off.
Singapore Armed Forces seized the lead in the 36th minute when Therdsak Chaiman contributed to their international campaign once again by scoring past opposing goalkeeper Markus Harison. It took only six minutes into the second half for PSMS to peg back on level ground with Mario Costas at the centre of their gratitude but as the 90 minutes failed to distinguish a clear victor, the next thirty minutes proved to demolish their hopes and aspirations for progressing past the qualification phase. Octavianus Maniani and Edi Sukamto saw red for picking up a second yellow card each and Admad Latiff scored the goal that literally shot the club to stardom and glory in Asia’s lucrative contest.
The S-League champions will mix their identity with Japanese counterparts Kashima Antlers, former AFC winners Suwon Bluewings and Shanghai Shenhua of China. Ho Peng Kee, president of the Football Associated of Singapore, spoke of his hope that the breakthrough will encourage ‘the other clubs to raise the quality of play so that we can continue to get closer to Asian standards’.
Dempo endured a contrasting fortune as their dream of becoming the first Indian club to qualify for the tournament remained unfulfilled for another season as defeat to Al Sharjah of the UEA signalled their premature exit.
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