On social media platform Weibo, the hashtag "Singapore goalie thanks Chinese fans", accompanied by a short clip of Hassan saying "Xiexie, China", racked up at least 130 million views.
The clip was flooded with comments from grateful Chinese fans.
"Turns out the national team's 12th man is actually the Singaporean goalkeeper," said one typical comment.
Another called Hassan "god-like".
"Have any of us ever given all we have to help a complete stranger in need?" the post added.
In March, Hassan said that he had followed other members of his family by going into the restaurant trade.
"Growing up I would always go to my uncle's shop and watch and learn, and it was a dream of mine from childhood to have my own restaurant," he told FIFA.com.
Chinese football fans have now pledged to pay him a visit.
"There's no way I'm not stopping in at this guy's restaurant next time I'm in Singapore," said one Weibo comment.
Others pointed out that Thailand's wasteful finishing had also helped China sneak over the line.
"Shouldn't we be thanking the Thai number 13," said one post, referring to the attacker Jaroensak Wonggorn.
"In injury time, with no defenders near him, he still managed to blaze the ball wide."
Eighteen teams will contest the third Asian qualifying round from September for the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
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The clip was flooded with comments from grateful Chinese fans.
"Turns out the national team's 12th man is actually the Singaporean goalkeeper," said one typical comment.
Another called Hassan "god-like".
"Have any of us ever given all we have to help a complete stranger in need?" the post added.
In March, Hassan said that he had followed other members of his family by going into the restaurant trade.
"Growing up I would always go to my uncle's shop and watch and learn, and it was a dream of mine from childhood to have my own restaurant," he told FIFA.com.
Chinese football fans have now pledged to pay him a visit.
"There's no way I'm not stopping in at this guy's restaurant next time I'm in Singapore," said one Weibo comment.
Others pointed out that Thailand's wasteful finishing had also helped China sneak over the line.
"Shouldn't we be thanking the Thai number 13," said one post, referring to the attacker Jaroensak Wonggorn.
"In injury time, with no defenders near him, he still managed to blaze the ball wide."
Eighteen teams will contest the third Asian qualifying round from September for the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
Continue reading...