SEOUL - A unique football journey has brought midfielder Song Ui-young to the Seoul World Cup Stadium, a venue he dreamt of playing in as a child. However, the 30-year-old will step onto the pitch representing Singapore, not his native South Korea, in a crucial World Cup qualifying match.
According to Yonhap News Agency, who was born in Incheon and moved to Singapore at 18, expressed both excitement and nervousness ahead of the match. "I dreamed of being here when I first started playing football as a kid," said Song, who became a Singaporean citizen in August 2021. He noted the importance of representing a country and the honor he feels playing for Singapore, a sentiment he shared with the press on the eve of the match.
Song's journey from Incheon to international football has seen him play in Singapore, Thailand, and Indonesia. Since acquiring Singaporean citizenship, he has earned 20 caps for the national team. He described his initial nervousness when playing for Singapore and how he has since settled into his role, developing strong relationships with his coaches and teammates.
Singapore's path to this stage of the World Cup qualifying tournament was not easy. They had to overcome Guam in a playoff to set up the clash with South Korea. Song mentioned the pressure he felt from relatives in Korea to win that match and the surprise and gratitude he feels for the opportunity to play at the Seoul World Cup Stadium.
Ranked 155th in the latest FIFA rankings, Singapore faces a daunting challenge against the 24th-ranked South Korean team. Song acknowledged the nerves within the Singaporean squad but emphasized their preparations, including analyzing South Korea's key players and strategizing for the match. "We have to make quick adjustments," Song remarked, highlighting the competitive spirit he hopes to display in front of Korean fans.