SINGAPORE – Singapore football – long ridiculed – is suddenly front-page news for the right reasons.

After the Lions

on Nov 18, analysis around what this means for local football is just getting started.

And while the destination is certain, a question mark still lingers over who will be the director in the Lions’ dugout in Saudi Arabia in 2027.

Gavin Lee, in his role as interim coach, has helped the team secure the historic feat, with two wins and a draw in three competitive matches.

He has the honour of being the first coach to take the Lions to the Asian Cup on merit. The only other time Singapore took part in the continent’s football showpiece was when it was hosted here in 1984.

Having brought them to the Promised Land and secured them

, the question on everyone’s mind is if Lee will now be given the chance to lead the team out in Saudi Arabia?

No shortage of candidates for the job

It needs to be said that the Lions did not get here by chance. The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) and Lee have had to deal with the cards handed to them.

In June, then Lions coach