Chinese soccer enthusiasts have rallied behind Singaporean goalkeeper Hassan Sunny in an unexpected show of appreciation, transforming his modest food stall into a magnet for support and generosity. Sunny, aged 40 and a stalwart of Singapore’s national team, found himself thrust into the spotlight following his pivotal performance against Thailand, where his goalkeeping heroics indirectly secured China’s advancement to the third qualifying round for the 2026 World Cup.
After Singapore’s 3-1 loss to Thailand, which saw Sunny make crucial saves preventing a more significant defeat that would have eliminated China from contention, Chinese fans flocked to support him. His food stall, co-managed with his wife in Singapore, witnessed unprecedented patronage as fans from across China not only lined up to buy out its offerings but also sent monetary contributions through the stall’s QR payment code, widely circulated on Chinese social media.
Soccer holds a revered status in China, despite the national team’s historical challenges. With substantial investments in the sport, China’s men’s team has struggled to replicate past successes, having qualified for the World Cup only once in 2002. Sunny’s unexpected role as a hero for Chinese soccer fans sparked mixed reactions online, with some lauding him as the “best 12th player” for the Chinese team while others expressed reservations about the team’s dependence on external factors rather than its own players.
The popularity surge propelled Sunny’s food stall, named Dapur Hassan and specializing in “nasi lemak,” to the top spot in Singapore’s snack and food category on Dianping, a prominent Chinese restaurant review app. Fans showcased their support by sharing screenshots of their transactions, accompanied by heartfelt messages expressing gratitude and admiration.
Despite the overwhelming support, Sunny urged restraint through a statement on social media, requesting fans to cease sending further monetary contributions and cautioning against fraudulent QR codes falsely linked to his shop.
While Sunny declined requests for direct interviews, his impact resonates beyond the soccer field, illustrating the powerful intersection of sportsmanship, fandom, and international solidarity.
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