9 EMBARRASSING things about the first football match at the new National Stadium...

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The historical first match at the new National Stadium finally took place last weekend!

Juventus destroyed the Singapore selection 5 - 0, but that's not the "malu" part. The Singapore selection gave their best. Here's what I think are 9 embarrassing things about the first football match at the new National Stadium.....

1. Change of kick off time

The match was brought forward from 1930 to 1800 due to "operational reasons" .... but wait a minute, is it a coincidence that it's Manchester United vs Swansea at 1945?

2. Half empty stadium

Seems like it's more exciting to watch Manchester United lose to Swansea than Singapore Selection destroyed by Juventus. Even desperately giving away match tickets with purchase of $18 worth of 100plus could only fill 27,338 of 55,000 seats....



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I'm glad I got to be part of the first Kallang Wave at the new Stadium, but it be a long time before I see the next? Will attendance hit more than 27,338 the next Singapore match?

3. F&N FREE ticket promotion



Like what I read somewhere, if I was an "Early Bird" who bought tickets, I would have became an "Angry Bird".... enough said.

4. Clash with first game of the new EPL season



Between a meaningless friendly with nothing at stake and 3 points at stake for your favourite English team, which one has the bigger appeal?

5. Shahril Who? Baihakki Who?

The emcee tried to excite the crowd by announcing the first name of the starting line-up and asking us to SHOUT their last names.... you should hear the ODD SILENCE when he came to the HOME TEAM....

6. The Lions’ megastore?



(Photo credit: Bolasepako.com Facebook page)

If this is how official Singapore National team and LionsXII merchandise are being sold in future in such a huge stadium, might as well don't sell right?

7. Beach soccer?

You could see the sand "flying" up when Pirlo took his freekicks. Glad sand didn't get into my eyes....

8. Home and Away fans sitting together in harmony?

Which area is dedicated to HOME team fans?

9. Nervous ball boy?

There was a point where there were 2 balls on the pitch and invited boos from the crowd... are they star studded?

Anyway it was a fun experience, looking forward to the next match!