SINGAPORE: The ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2020 kicked off the tournament on Sunday (Dec 5) with double-header matches at the National Stadium and 7,588 spectators in attendance for the Singapore versus Myanmar game , the largest in-person gathering for any event in Singapore since the pandemic began.
The last edition of the AFF Championship in 2018 saw about 750,000 fans turn up for the 26 games played in multiple cities across ASEAN, but the following installation of the biennial football competition was postponed last year due to the pandemic.
About 7,500 spectators attended the match between Singapore and Myanmar on Dec 5, 2021. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
This year’s event, held by sole host country Singapore, was markedly distinct from the previous years’, largely due to the curtailed number of spectators allowed as well as the myriad of safe management measures in place.
The turnout to watch the Lions play at home after more than two years was a far cry from the crowds that thronged the games three years ago: Only a maximum of 10,000 fans were allowed to catch the game at the 55,000-capacity National Stadium – which is one of the two venues for the tournament.
Second venue Bishan Stadium will admit a maximum of 1,000 spectators, despite its 6,000-seat capacity.
Fans are assigned to sectors of no more than 500 people each, with no intermingling allowed across sectors. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
All spectators are expected to show proof of full vaccination to enter the stadiums. Refunds will not be issued to those who fail to provide proof of vaccination. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
A spectator being scanned by security. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
All spectators are expected to show proof of full vaccination to enter the stadiums. Refunds will not be issued to those who fail to provide proof of vaccination. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
These prevailing rules apply for the rest of the matches that are expected to run from Dec 5 to Jan 1 at both venues.
Despite having to keep their masks and be seated a metre apart, the energy of the crowd was not dampened: Fans could be seen excitedly cheering, waving banners and Singapore flags, and chanting enthusiastically to support the Lions.
Spectators at the National Stadium doing the Kallang Wave during the Suzuki Cup match between Singapore and Myanmar. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
Fans waving the Singapore flag. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
Fans hanging up a Singapore flag before the match. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
Spectators were not allowed to remove their masks while in the National Stadium. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
In the first half of the match, the excitement was palpable as one section of the stadium started doing the Kallang Wave.
Here’s a look at how spectators attended their first in-person football match in two years whilst navigating safe distancing measures.
All spectators are issued coloured wrist tags to help distinguish their seating sectors within the stadium as well as for identification that allows re-entry on that match day. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
Food and drinks, including water is not permitted in the stadium and fans are required to keep their masks on at all times. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
A spectator scanning his ticket. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
Strict safe distancing measures limit seating to groups of two at the National Stadium, with 1m safe distancing between groups. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
Spectators cheer as the Lions bag their second goal. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
All spectators are issued coloured wrist tags to help distinguish their seating sectors within the stadium as well as for identification that allows re-entry on that match day. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
Strict safe distancing measures limit seating to groups of two at the National Stadium, with 1m safe distancing between groups. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
Catch the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 LIVE on meWATCH. Sign in now at mewatch.sg/affsuzukicup2020 and get into the action with Mediacorp, Singapore’s official broadcaster of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020.
Continue reading...
The last edition of the AFF Championship in 2018 saw about 750,000 fans turn up for the 26 games played in multiple cities across ASEAN, but the following installation of the biennial football competition was postponed last year due to the pandemic.
About 7,500 spectators attended the match between Singapore and Myanmar on Dec 5, 2021. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
This year’s event, held by sole host country Singapore, was markedly distinct from the previous years’, largely due to the curtailed number of spectators allowed as well as the myriad of safe management measures in place.
The turnout to watch the Lions play at home after more than two years was a far cry from the crowds that thronged the games three years ago: Only a maximum of 10,000 fans were allowed to catch the game at the 55,000-capacity National Stadium – which is one of the two venues for the tournament.
Second venue Bishan Stadium will admit a maximum of 1,000 spectators, despite its 6,000-seat capacity.
Fans are assigned to sectors of no more than 500 people each, with no intermingling allowed across sectors. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
All spectators are expected to show proof of full vaccination to enter the stadiums. Refunds will not be issued to those who fail to provide proof of vaccination. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
A spectator being scanned by security. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
All spectators are expected to show proof of full vaccination to enter the stadiums. Refunds will not be issued to those who fail to provide proof of vaccination. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
These prevailing rules apply for the rest of the matches that are expected to run from Dec 5 to Jan 1 at both venues.
Despite having to keep their masks and be seated a metre apart, the energy of the crowd was not dampened: Fans could be seen excitedly cheering, waving banners and Singapore flags, and chanting enthusiastically to support the Lions.
Spectators at the National Stadium doing the Kallang Wave during the Suzuki Cup match between Singapore and Myanmar. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
Fans waving the Singapore flag. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
Fans hanging up a Singapore flag before the match. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
Spectators were not allowed to remove their masks while in the National Stadium. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
In the first half of the match, the excitement was palpable as one section of the stadium started doing the Kallang Wave.
Here’s a look at how spectators attended their first in-person football match in two years whilst navigating safe distancing measures.
All spectators are issued coloured wrist tags to help distinguish their seating sectors within the stadium as well as for identification that allows re-entry on that match day. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
Food and drinks, including water is not permitted in the stadium and fans are required to keep their masks on at all times. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
A spectator scanning his ticket. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
Strict safe distancing measures limit seating to groups of two at the National Stadium, with 1m safe distancing between groups. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
Spectators cheer as the Lions bag their second goal. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
All spectators are issued coloured wrist tags to help distinguish their seating sectors within the stadium as well as for identification that allows re-entry on that match day. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
Strict safe distancing measures limit seating to groups of two at the National Stadium, with 1m safe distancing between groups. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
Catch the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 LIVE on meWATCH. Sign in now at mewatch.sg/affsuzukicup2020 and get into the action with Mediacorp, Singapore’s official broadcaster of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2020.
Continue reading...