Any true blue blood Singaporean would know what the Kallang Roar means. It's thick in our blood like our laksa gravy and Pepper Chilli Crab.
Shamefully, as a thoroughbred Singaporean, I've never done the Kallang Roar in my life. Seen it on TV, yah. Did the Kallang Wave when I was watching the National Day parade with Pin as a teenager, yah. Thus, when I heard that Singapore will be playing against Ubekistan at the National Stadium on Monday, I was determined to make the Kallang Roar an experience of my life.
I was at the National Stadium to buy tickets at 6pm, for the soccer match starting at 7.30pm. There, I already saw young and old, men and women, Chinese, Malay and Indians, set aside their differences for the clash of the titans.
It was a sea of red when I entered the stadium. For a first-timer, I can't believe how Singaporeans are actually damn unified in their dress code on this occasion. I soaked in the boos, horns, ra-ra, and Singlish swearing as the Ubekistan scored.
9 minutes in the game, the Lions scored our first goal. It has been said that the odds are against the Lions for Ubekistan has thrashed Iran 3-0 in an earlier match. So when we scored, I couldn't believe my eyes. Instantly, the stadium ruptured into whistles, screams, and applause. I was experiencing the Kallang Roar and what a loud one it was!! I could feel my blood pressure shoot up. The husband's face has broken into one of great pleasure. He was obviously enjoying the cheering (for the Lions) and the swearing (for the other side, of course).
However, the good times did not last, We scored 3 in total while the Ubekis scored 7. I'll admit, our defence was weak and our goalkeeper really sucked at his job. However, the Lions played better than previously anWd they scored beautifully. It's just too bad we did not succeed in closing the loss further.
Well, here's a recap of my first Kalang Roar.
