Ranking Singapore national football team’s jerseys from the past decade

The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) on Monday (Nov 9) posted a video compilation of some Singapore jerseys from yesteryears. 

In the video caption, the FAS hinted at a possible release of the new Singapore kit on Thursday, saying: “Watch this space as we have something exciting coming your way on Nov 12.”

One of the major things to look out for on the new jersey is if the Singapore flag or the FAS logo will be used. It’s been noted that fans have been clamouring for the FAS logo to be used instead, in line with most countries in the world.

The current kit, which comes in gym red (home) and equator blue (away), was launched back in October 2018. The Lions have been kitted in Nike since November 2006. 

We take a trip down memory lane and have a look at Singapore jerseys worn by the Lions in the past decade.

A basic-looking jersey, yet a classic. Launched ahead of the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, the kit featured two shades of red with a white tab on the sleeves. 

Unfortunately, the Lions did not enjoy the Suzuki Cup that year, exiting in the group stages. That probably explains why this kit does not come to mind when ranking the nicest Singapore kit ever designed.

A memorable kit as Singapore lifted the 2012 AFF Suzuki Cup in Radojko Avramovic’s final year in charge. The Lions beat Thailand 3-2 on aggregate to win their fourth championship in the tournament.

Following the triumph, Nike launched a limited edition four-star national team kit as a tribute to the four Suzuki Cup trophies Singapore lifted. All 100 kits were snapped up within two hours of the launch at Suntec City.

The home jersey featured the traditional red and white hue synonymous with the Lions and the country, while the away kit in classic blue reflected Singapore’s identity as an island-city.

Arguably the sharpest-looking jersey in the last decade, the 2014/16 jersey featured chevrons in shades of red with the classic crew-cut collars. It also had dark-coloured collars and cuffs. 

The kit was meant to be a bold representation of the Singapore spirit.

The 2016/18 Singapore kit featured stripes around the collar and down the sides of the jersey. It also utilised the new Vapor design which featured commonly on the kits of countries sponsored by Nike. 

The sleek-looking kit made its debut during Singapore’s final tune-up friendly against regional rivals Cambodia ahead of the 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup.

The 2018 kit was inspired by Singapore’s iconic Merlion. 

Take a closer look and you will see the red lines across the chest of the kit inspired by the scales of the Merlion. The blue away kit on the other hand, is a play on Singapore’s modernism with its skyscrapers and their dazzling presence at night.

Having seen the jerseys above, you may wonder which is my favourite all-time kit? Enter arguably the best Singapore jersey designed: the one worn by Daniel Bennett and Aide Iskandar here in 2004.

With stars emblazoned on either side of the top and the shorts, the stylish design of the jersey somehow grew on me when I was a child. 

Its baggy cut and long sleeves that touch the elbow may not do anything to hide the fact that the jersey was from a long time ago, but I dare say that no other jersey since have come close to emulating its classy design.

What’s your personal favourite?