Ben Davies has come back to haunt Singapore.
Defaulting on NS in 2019
If that name sounds familiar, it is because back in 2019 there was considerable public attention about his decision to default on NS and pursue a professional footballing career. The Minister for Defence even spelled out the reasons for rejecting Ben’s NS deferment application.
At the material time, he had signed a professional contract with Fulham.
A few months later, in October 2019, despite the possibility of being fined or imprisoned if he sets foot into Singapore again, Ben said that he had “no regrets”. In his view, the decision was a difficult but necessary one in order to succeed in football.
Playing for Thailand
In 2019, Ben Davies, who was born in Phuket, was called up to Thailand’s provision SEA Games squad. However, he eventually did not make the final cut for that tournament.
In 2020, Davis represented Thailand at the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship, appearing in a 1–1 draw against Iraq in the group stage as well as a 1–0 loss to Saudi Arabia in the quarter final.
In 2022, Ben, who now plays for Oxford United, was called up to the Thailand squad for the SEA Games.
Scoring against Singapore
On 9 March 2022, Ben Davies started for Thailand against Singapore.
No fear boys! 🇸🇬 #ONESTRONG pic.twitter.com/dvjKiToYqD
— FAS (@FASingapore) May 9, 2022
Just before the stroke of half time, Ben Davies was brought down in the penalty box by Syahrul.
Ben Davies’ goal was the first of 5 that found the back of Singapore’s net. According to TMSG, this was Singapore’s worst defeat at the SEA Games since the 8 – 1 trashing at the hands of Burma in 1971.
Singapore, who narrowly drew with Laos, face Cambodia and Malaysia next.
Reactions
Many on Twitter called for the “Young Lions” project to be scrapped in the wake of the crushing defeat.
Will we finally see the Young Lions nonsense end so we can see our best young players actually fight for their places at other clubs instead of constantly losing together? No. Cause the ppl in charge of our football program are idiots 🙂 https://t.co/LH7TGDlZOh
— . (@idkaybictdie) May 9, 2022
https://twitter.com/zaidmahmd/status/1523673777757773824
You drew 2-2 against Laos recently.
Laos!
Sack all your interims lah.
Scrap your Young Lions project too.
🤦🏻 https://t.co/qDxu5DHKC5— 𝕐𝔹 (@yazbanz) May 9, 2022
Deepanraj, a Singapore-based sports journalist, posited that the defeat was a “sign of the work we have ahead” and asked for more “constructive conversations around selection and development”.
This is no reality check. We didn't need one.
Another sign of the work we have ahead. Laughing, mocking and insulting does not help. Take a hard look at yourself if you are.
What helps, is constructive conversations around selection and development (Some might disgaree 🤷🏾♂️)
— Deepanraj Ganesan (@deeppaann) May 9, 2022
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