After starting its journey in Bangkok in late September, the next stop of the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022 Trophy Tour is Singapore when it arrives in the Lion City on Saturday, October 15 as the build-up to the competition in December and January gathers momentum.

Singapore legends Baihakki Khaizan, Lionel Lewis and Noh Alam Shah together with VIPs and officials from the title sponsor Mitsubishi Electric, will be present at the free-to-attend event at the Kallang Wave Mall, Singapore Sports Hub as excitement continues to escalate ahead of a tournament that returns to its usual home-and-away format this year.

To mark the Trophy Tour’s arrival in Singapore, we’re looking back on some of the greatest individual displays from the Lions’ players over the years – among them, legends who have contributed to the nation winning a hugely impressive four AFF Championship titles.

Below are five standout performances from players who have etched their names into the country’s footballing folklore and we’re asking you, the fans, to vote for your favourite to be in with a chance of wining one of five signed Singapore jerseys.

To enter the competition, make sure to create an account after placing your vote.

Lewis stars in 2004 triumph

One of only two goalkeepers to win the AFF Championship MVP award, Lionel Lewis was nothing short of outstanding in 2004, when a number of composed performances and stunning saves helped Singapore win their second title having also been crowned champions in 1998.

The Lions’ last line of defence kept clean sheets against Indonesia and Cambodia in the group stage while there was also a string of fabulous saves in the 1-1 opening-day draw with Vietnam. Had Singapore lost that game, the Vietnamese would have pipped them to knockout round qualification.

Lewis was again on hand to acrobatically deny Myanmar striker Yan Paing the opening goal in the first leg of the semi-final before yet again producing the goods in the final as Singapore defeated Indonesia home and away.

And Lewis was not only preventing goals, he was creating them too. With Singapore 3-1 up from the first leg in Jakarta, he picked out Indra Sahdan with a long ball early in the second leg, and three touches later it was in the back of the net with the goal all but ending Indonesia’s hopes of a comeback.

Goals galore for Alam Shah

Noh Alam Shah had already played a big part in Singapore’s 2004 success, scoring four goals over two legs of the semi-final against Myanmar, but what followed in 2007 remains one of the most talked about moments in the tournament’s history.

With the Lions having played out a scoreless draw with Vietnam in their opening game, Alam Shah produced an emphatic display against Laos, scoring an incredible seven goals – five of which were in the last 30 minutes – to set a record that remains to this day and may well never be broken.

In truth, the striker netted more important goals: his opener from the spot against Indonesia in the next game helped secure a point in a 2-2 draw as Singapore finished top of the standings, ahead of Vietnam and the Indonesians on goal difference.

He netted again in the first leg of the semi-final against Malaysia then got the opening goal in the final against Thailand which Singapore won 3-2 on aggregate. His 11 goals in a single campaign remains a record as Alam Shah walked away with the Golden Boot, the MVP award and a winner’s medal.

Shahril the shining light

An opening game against holders Malaysia at a packed Bukit Jalil National Stadium in 2012 was a huge test of Singapore’s title credentials as they aimed to return to the summit of Southeast Asian football and the Lions, particularly Shahril Ishak, showed they were up for the challenge.

Shahril stunned the home support by poking home the opening goal just after the half hour before capitalising on a defensive error to head in number two just minutes later as Singapore got off to a flying start following a 3-0 win.

But Singapore then lost to Indonesia and found themselves 2-0 down against Laos and in danger of a shock exit at the first hurdle. Up stepped Shahril to spark the comeback, netting his first from close range before twisting and turning in the box to level proceedings in an eventual 4-3 win.

The victory saw the Lions top the group before wins over the Philippines and Thailand wrapped up a second successive title – their third in total – as Shahril, who finished second in the scoring charts, was named the tournament’s MVP.

Amri delivers the goods

If Shahril was the star of the group stage, it’s fair to say Khairul Amri stole the show in the knockout rounds, scoring in both the semi-final and final to help his country draw level with Thailand on three titles apiece.

Amri has a knack of scoring important goals for Singapore, having netted in both the 2004 and 2007 finals, and he was at it again in 2012 with goals that went a long way towards his country being crowned champions.

Having scored a fabulous free-kick in the come-from-behind group stage win against Laos, the forward curled a lovely effort from 25 yards into the bottom left corner for the only goal over two legs in the semi-final against the Philippines to secure a place in the main event.

But he saved his best for last when, with his side a goal up in the first leg of the final against Thailand, Amri received a pass from Alexandar Duric, produced a moment of sublime skill to evade his marker, and fired low into the back of the net to make it 2-0 in a 3-1 win.

Ikhsan offers hope for the future

While the first 16 years of the AFF Championship witnessed considerable Singapore success, the Lions failed to make it beyond the group stage in the next three editions as they endured their toughest period to date.

But at the 2020 edition it was the son of national icon Fandi Ahmad who helped them advance beyond the group stage for the first time since 2012 as Ikhsan Fandi showed why he is considered one of the hottest prospects in ASEAN football.

In the opening game against Myanmar, Ikhsan fired a blistering effort into the bottom corner and rose highest to powerfully head home a second as he displayed his full repertoire in a 3-0 win that paved the way for a return to the knockout rounds.

Ikhsan’s perfectly timed run and composed finish then secured a 1-1 draw in the first leg of the semi-final against Indonesia before they were just minutes away from returning to the final. While Singapore’s campaign ended in heartbreak, the striker underlined why there is plenty of optimism for the years ahead.

Win a Singapore Jersey Signed By The Legends!

We are giving out 5 signed jerseys to 5 lucky winners. Cast your vote above and create an account with us in order to be eligible to win one of the signed jerseys. The 5 lucky winners will be contacted through email on the 14th of October (5pm Singapore Time). Winners will be asked to claim their prize at the Singapore Trophy Tour location on 15 October from 2pm - 5pm.

Eligibility: Contest only available for fans in Singapore.

Singapore Trophy Tour address: Venue: Kallang Wave Mall, Singapore Sports Hub (1 Stadium Place, Singapore 397628)

Good luck to all contestants!