customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

helpersCheckIsPostiesArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

moreOnThisArticles

urlAlias

commentCount

sponsorType

authorLocations

authors

paywallTypes

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

socialHeadline

headline

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

publishedDate

additionalInfoBoxes

images

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

createdDate

sponsor

factSheets

series

summary

updatedDate

knowledgeQuestion

disableOffPlatformContent

published

subHeadline

body

keywords

copyrighted

customTimezone

liveContents

Agence France-Presse

Associated Press

Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny has asked Chinese football fans to stop sending him money after his food stall was deluged with QR-code monetary transfers and gifts following his unlikely role in keeping their World Cup dreams alive.
The 40-year-old became a hero overnight in the country of 1.4 billion people after his saves during Singapore’s match at Thailand helped China squeeze into the next qualifying round.
China’s hopes of reaching the third stage of Asian qualifying for 2026 were hanging by a thread after a 1-0 defeat to South Korea in Seoul on Tuesday.
Thailand then needed to beat Singapore by three goals in Bangkok to leapfrog China and snatch second place in Group C, which would have ended China’s World Cup hopes.


The Thais did beat basement side Singapore, but by only 3-1, thanks to Hassan making 11 saves in a man-of-the-match display.
The keeper told Singapore’s state broadcaster CNA that fans in China had used the Alipay account of his food stall in the city state to transfer money to him after photos of its payment QR code were circulated online.
While Hassan said he has been amazed by the acclaim, he wondered if being sent money for his performance was even legal.
“I did enjoy it for a while. I was like, oh OK, money coming in,” CNA quoted him as saying, without disclosing how much he had received.
“But having said that, I was thinking, when is this going to stop? Is this legal?”

Fans have posted screenshots of their transactions, sending from S$1 to S$10 (about 75 US cents to US$8) – or more – alongside comments of “Sincere appreciation from a soccer fan” or “Love from China”.
He is now urging Chinese fans to stop transferring him money.
“I think we have to stop somewhere,” he said.
Hassan made an announcement in Chinese on Instagram on Thursday night urging people to stop sending money and warning that some QR codes masquerading as his shop’s had been posted.
“Thank you for the support in the last a few days which allows me to fully feel the enthusiasm of Chinese fans,” he wrote. “I call for rational support, stop transferring money to me through the internet.”
Chinese citizens and visitors in Singapore have also been visiting Dapur Hassan, Hassan’s modest food stall located in the city’s eastern suburbs, to thank him.

The stall, which specialises in “nasi lemak” a popular rice dish cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves, quickly jumped to No 1 in the Singaporean snack and food section on Dianping, a Chinese restaurant review app.
The outlet ran out of food on Thursday because of strong demand, according to local reports.
Hassan said his phone has also been inundated with messages and emails since the final whistle on Tuesday night.
“My family is obviously a bit shocked by all these messages,” he said. “Especially my daughters. They’re like, ‘Why [do] I see your face everywhere?’”


Chinese fans get excuses in early on social media for pending World Cup loss to Saudi Arabia

World Cup 2025 qualifiers: Chinese fans savage team after ‘disastrous’ 7-0 Japan thrashing

World Cup qualifiers: Wataru Endo warns Japan of dangers in Asian zone, starting with China

Palestinians face one of Asia’s toughest tests to start third round of World Cup qualifying

Fifa World Cup 2026

Singapore keeper Hassan Sunny asks China football fans to stop sending him ‘heroics’ cash

A Chinese football fan in front of Singaporean goalkeeper Hassan Sunny’s food stall in Singapore on Friday. Photo: AP

Chinese customers helped Hassan’s modest food stall run out of food on Thursday. Photo: AP

Aidah Rahim, Hassan’s wife, holds a box of “nasi lemak”, a popular rice dish that is their stall’s speciality. Photo: AP

World Cup: China social media lauds new Singapore ‘heroes’ for keeping Chinese dream alive

Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny has been praised for his heroic performance against Thailand by Chinese football fans. Photo: EPA

China’s ‘super apps’, visa-free travel help send high fives – and cash – to Singapore goalie

Singaporean goalie Hassan Sunny’s food stall has been packed with Chinese football fans the last couple of days. Photo: Weibo

Fifa World Cup qualifiers: Hong Kong make their point in Turkmenistan after 19-hour trek

Hong Kong (red), pictured in last year’s home clash with Turkmenistan, endured a lengthy journey for the return match. Photo: Elson Li

Michael Udebuluzor fends off Philip Chan as Hong Kong train before their match in Turkmenistan. Photo: Handout

Sport

Football

Hassan’s food stall has been deluged with customers and QR payments since his saves against Thailand helped China into next World Cup round


Hassan’s food stall has been deluged with customers and QR payments since his thwarting of Thailand helped China into the next round of the World Cup.


China-Singapore relations

Singapore