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GEORGE TOWN – According to ex-journalists from the neighbouring south, Singapore making its exit from the Malaysia Cup in 1995 had been the bane of fellow Singaporeans old enough to remember.
This was what was discussed during a forum organised by Storm Asia entitled, ‘Growing Up with No Social Media and No Internet’, by established media personalities, Patricia Chew, Stephen Krempl, Shirley Tan, Adrian Tan, Charlene Kang and Seetoh Kok Fye, regarding the issue of Football Association of Singapore’s (FAS) unceremonious exit from the league.
“The old Malaysia Cup was a microcosm of Singapore. When the Singapore team went to play against the Malaysian states, we were always prepared to go all out,” they said.
Singapore’s in-again out-again from the Malaysia Cup was nothing new but ever since they were booted out in 1995, the game has not been the same. After winning the Malaysian Cup in 1994, the football team was expected to soar to new heights by taking international missions but no such luck.
“I think it is something we really miss from the yesteryears. Now when our team plays, I doubt anyone is interested. Can you name me even one player? Or two players?” moderator Kannan Chandran chimed in.
Author and business owner, Stephen Krempl, then spoke of the glorious days when team chants were not really team chants at all.
“If you think about all the cheers we’ve ever heard during football matches, nothing comes close to referee kayu (wooden referee).
“It’s something else when the whole stadium is chanting it together.”
The term referee kayu is a uniquely Singaporean term that holds a different meaning to what it means in Malay. It is chanted when the referee makes an unfair stance towards a particular team. ── The Vibes, 1 March, 2021.
