In a dramatic opening match of the ASEAN Cup 2026, Singapore edged out Cambodia 2-1, but the victory was overshadowed by a contentious VAR decision that caused a nearly 10-minute delay in the final moments of the game. The match, held on July 24, saw Singapore take an early lead with Shawal Anuar scoring in the 22nd minute, assisted by Lionel Tan's precise long pass.

Cambodia fought back in the second half, equalizing in the 55th minute with a stunning long-range shot from Ouk Sovann. The home team applied significant pressure, making it challenging for Singapore to maintain their lead. The tension peaked in the 89th minute when Ilhan Fandi thought he had scored the go-ahead goal, only for the VAR officials to intervene. After a lengthy review, it was determined that Jacob Mahler was offside in the buildup, disallowing the goal.

This VAR interruption drew criticism, particularly from Cambodian media, who argued that the extended delay disrupted their players' momentum and focus. Coach Koji Gyotoku expressed his disappointment, stating, "We have many young players, and the long wait affected their concentration. I apologize for conceding in the final minutes."

Despite the controversy, Singapore's Ilhan Fandi became the hero of the match, scoring a spectacular goal in the 90+12 minute after receiving a pass from Song Ui-young, sealing the victory for Singapore. Coach Gavin Lee acknowledged that while his team secured the three points, their performance was not up to par. He remarked, "We entered the match with certain principles but failed to execute them well, especially in the first half where we left too many gaps in midfield."

Singapore's win gives them an important three points in Group A, placing them second behind Vietnam on goal difference. Looking ahead, Singapore will face Timor Leste at home, while Cambodia will travel to Indonesia for their next match on July 27.