Chinese football fans have poured their love – and money – into a Singaporean goalkeeper’s food stall after his performance in a match this week indirectly helped China qualify for the third round of World Cup qualifying in 2026.
Hassan Sunny, a 40-year-old goalkeeper for the Singapore national team, became an overnight celebrity on Chinese social media after his team’s 3-1 defeat to Thailand on Tuesday.
China could have been eliminated if Thailand had won by three goals. Mr Hassan made enough saves to prevent that from happening.
Chinese fans lined up and bought all the food at the stall run by Mr Hassan and his wife in Singapore.
Chinese people send money using the booth’s QR payment code, which has been widely shared online.
Football is one of the most popular spectator sports in China, although the men’s national team has struggled despite multi-million investment in the sport.
The team has only reached the World Cup once, more than 20 years ago in 2002.
A Chinese football fan takes a photo in front of Hassan Sunny’s food stall in Singapore. (AP: Tim Chong)
Cao Zichen, who sent 8.88 Singapore dollars ($10) to the goalkeeper, said he was touched by Hassan’s image as a down-to-earth worker running a small shop, unlike well-paid players in other countries, including China.
Eight is a lucky number in China that conveys wishes for wealth and prosperity.
Fans posted screenshots of their transactions with comments such as “Sincere gratitude from a football fan” and “Love from China.”
Some fans described Mr Hassan on social media as the best 12th player on the Chinese team, while a few wondered whether he would face tax problems with all the money flowing in.
Others found it rather sad and embarrassing that China had progressed in this manner, with one saying it showed that the Chinese team preferred to rely on others rather than their own players.
Hassan urges Chinese fans to stop sending him money
Mr Hassan thanked Chinese fans for their support but urged them to stop sending him money.
“The last few days, I would say it’s been great for me, because it’s something I’ve never experienced before,” Mr Hassan told Singapore’s CNA broadcaster.
“I enjoyed it for a while. But having said that, I was wondering when is this going to stop? Is it legal?”
“I think we have to stop somewhere,” he said.
Mr Hassan also warned that fans could be scammed as fake QR codes have also been circulating.
“I really appreciate your support for me in recent days, which has allowed me to fully experience the passion of Chinese football fans,” he wrote in a social media post on Thursday.
“In recent days, the QR code for payments at my coconut rice stall has been widely circulated online, and some videos have even been edited with fake QR codes.
“I therefore call on everyone to be rational in their support and stop transferring money to me via the Internet.”
The crush was also stressful for the kitchen staff in the back.
Aidah Rahim, Hassan Sunny’s wife, talks to Chinese customers at her food stall. (AP: Tim Chong)
Dapur Hassan food stall has quickly risen to the top spot in the Singaporean snacks and dishes section on Dianping, a Chinese restaurant review app.
The shop specializes in nasi lemak, a popular dish of rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves, served with fried chicken.
On the first day, all tickets were sold out by 1:30 p.m., said Hassan’s wife, Aidah Rahim.
“I mean, yes, my mother, my aunt, who have to keep frying the chicken over and over again, then the eggs, because the best-seller is only nasi lemak,” she said with a smile.
ABC/Son
