New AFF Cup champions return to a hero's welcome

The Lions returned from Bangkok to a hero's welcome at the Changi Airport on Sunday, after lifting the AFF Cup for an unprecedented fourth time, reported local television Channel NewsAsia.

Singapore won the two-leg home and away final 3-2 on aggregate, against the more-fancied Thais. "I am proud to come back here. The fans are crazy, they welcome us back...for me, the only thing was to bring the Cup back to our homeland," said skipper Shahril Ishak.

Some 600 fans and officials gathered at the Changi Airport's Terminal 3 to welcome home the victorious Lions. Among them was Acting Culture, Community and Youth Minister Lawrence Wong who said: "It is a wonderful year for sports; we had significant achievements and it is very nice to cap it off with this very wonderful achievement."

The national footballers then went on a victory parade through the city centre. The open-top bus made its way along the Orchard Road shopping belt, stopping just outside Ngee Ann City mall, for fans to get close to the players.