Singapore takes a slender lead going into second leg of first round qualifier of World Cup 2026

First-half goals from defenders Christopher van Huizen (right) and Jacob Mahler (left) put the Lions ahead before Guam captain Jason Cunliffe scored one for the visitors in the 90th minute, October 2023. 

SINGAPORE 12 OCTOBER 2023 – Singapore and Guam faced off at the National Stadium in Singapore on Thursday, with a crucial ticket to the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 up for grabs. The Lions, guided by Head Coach Takayuki Nishigaya, welcomed the Noblemen of Guam, under the leadership of Ross Awa. With Singapore ranked 157th and Guam at 201st, the match promised to be an intriguing contest especially when the last encounter between the two nations in a 2015 friendly saw them battling out a 2 – 2 draw at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

A crowd of 10,355 fans filled the National Stadium, creating an electric atmosphere for this pivotal World Cup qualifier. The first-round qualifier is in the form of a two-legged playoff, with the return leg scheduled for next Tuesday, 17

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