Contributed by Fadilah Amir Hamzah

In celebration of Singapore's National Day, Singapore will play China to kick off a new annual football event - the National Day Challenge.

Continuing Singapore's birthday celebrations, the Lions will hope to win the first ever National Day Challenge against the Chinese national team which will take place on 12 August at the National Stadium.

The National Day Challenge 2009 is the brainchild of local sports and marketing consultancy firm, The Red Card Pte Ltd which is headed by former national footballer R. Sasikumar. According to Sasikumar, there are plans in place to bring other international teams. Asian giants Japan have already been identified for future games.

"I firmly believe that this annual Challenge will play an important role in the ongoing development of football in Singapore. The tournament, although a friendly, allows players access to a high level of opposition which provides them with a platform for competitive player development. In addition, this Challenge represents another opportunity to reach out to dedicated football fans within the Singapore sporting community. What better way to reinforce the values that make football so appealing, than to have it coincide with Singapore's birthday?" said Sasikumar.

The National Day Challenge has no prize money on offer, but national pride obviously is at stake for both teams. The two teams last clashed in September 2006 during the Asian Cup qualifier where both teams drew 0-0 at the National Stadium. Earlier, China narrowly beat Singapore in Tianjin with a 93rd minute penalty, despite pre-match predictions that the host country would win comfortably.

The Lions will be eager to prove that the results were no flukes while China will want to regain the respect of being one of Asia's footballing giants, having played in the World Cup Finals in 2002 and currently ranked by FIFA as the 13th best team in Asia. Currently, China is ranked 108th and Singapore 127th in the FIFA world rankings.

The match is also crucial as part of Singapore's preparations for the upcoming Asian Cup qualifiers where they are set to play against Thailand in November.

Says Singapore National Coach Radojko Avramovic, "We'll be facing a quality team with good individuals who will be out to prove themselves as many are new to their team. It's up to us to analyse our last game (against Liverpool) and to look at different options in our lineup. This game will be important for us to choose our best possible team to for the matches against Thailand."

Gracing the event will be Chinese Ambassador to Singapore Madam Zhang Xiaokang who is set to be present at the inaugural challenge at the historic National Stadium on August 12 at 7.30pm.

REDpoll

With regard to the Singapore vs China football game ...

  • I didn't go. (49%, 80 Votes)
  • What game? (32%, 52 Votes)
  • I went! (19%, 31 Votes)

Total Voters: 161

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Match Details for National Day Challenge

What: National Day Challenge 2009
Match: Singapore vs PR China
Date: 12 August 2009
Venue: National Stadium
Kickoff: 7.30pm
Ticket Details for National Day Challenge

Ticket Prices

Grandstand: $15
Gallery: $10

Concession tickets (For Gallery seats only)

Students (Primary/ Secondary/ ITE/ JC): $5 (There are 3000 student tickets for sale at $2 each)
Seniors (60 and above): $5

For football fans with NTUC membership, they will be able to purchase tickets at a discounted price from the ticketing counters.

Ticketing Locations

Jalan Besar Stadium, South Entrance
Available from now till 11th August 2009
Weekdays: 12pm to 2pm and 5pm to 8pm
Weekends & Public Holidays: 12pm to 6pm

National Stadium
Available only on 12th August 2009 at the East and West booths from 5pm onwards