Football: S'pore Lions return to hero's welcome after away win in Thailand
By Patwant Singh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 19 November 2009 2215 hrs

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SINGAPORE: Singapore's triumphant football team returned to a hero's welcome on Thursday after defeating Thailand 1-0 in Bangkok on Wednesday night.

Fans were at Changi Airport to welcome the Lions home. The win was crucial for Singapore to remain in contention for the next round of the Asian Cup qualifiers.

Singapore also avenged the earlier 1-3 home defeat to the Thais last Saturday. And beating them on their own turf was all the more sweet, as it has not been done in 34 years.

History aside, the Lions are now looking ahead to the remaining two matches in Group E.

The team is now second in the Group. It will host leaders Iran on January 6 next year and travel to Jordan for the last match on March 3.

The celebrations at the airport were also special for the Lions' youngest member, midfielder Hariss Harun, who turned 19 on Thursday.

The Asian Cup tournament will be held in Doha, Qatar in 2011.

- CNA/sc