China's dream of reaching the 2026 World Championship lives on – thanks to Singapore's goalkeeper Hassan Sunny.
Now he is being showered with both love and money from Chinese supporters.
"Thanks for your support over the past few days," he writes on Instagram.
The Chinese men's national team is chasing a World Championship spot. Last week, Singapore's goalkeeper Hassan Sunny became an unexpected Chinese hero, indirectly helping China advance to the third qualifying round.
Singapore did lose to Thailand, but the 1-3 result still saved China, which would have been eliminated if Thailand had won by three goals.
Since then, tributes to Sunny have poured in on social media, while Chinese fans have queued up to buy all the food at the food stall run by Hassan and his wife in Singapore.
Those who couldn't make it to the food stall have sent money using a QR payment code that has been widely shared online.
On his Instagram account, the goalkeeper thanks supporters – but also pleads with people to stop sending him money.
"Thanks for your support over the past few days, which has really made me feel the enthusiasm of Chinese fans. I want rational support, stop transferring money to me online," Sunny writes.
