Fildza | 8.12.2000

Dubbed as the “Football Event of the Year,” Westlife Asia Cup 2000 was held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on the 27th of November.

The Indoor Stadium was packed with screaming Westlife fans, are mostly made up of teenage girls. The event was supposed to start at 10am but only started at around 11.30 am with Perfect 10 DJs, Jean Danker and Rod Monteiro as the hosts of the event.

In line with the event's theme, both presenters were very sporty and energetic as they were warming up the spectators for the soccer match.

Westlife was in town for two days for their regional album launch for “Coast to Coast” album. Media from around the region was also invited to the two-day event.

Westlife Asia Cup 2000 was a showdown between two teams, “Westlife” versus “Asia United”. The screams became deafening when Rod and Jean called the two teams onto the pitch.

Representing “Asia United” were specially picked fans from Malaysia, Indonesia, Australia, Daniel Ong from the Perfect 10, VJ KC from MTV as well as the manager and sound engineer of Westlife. And of course, the members of Westlife and fans from Thailand and Taiwan made up the “Westlife” team.

By this time, the fans became crazier upon seeing their favourite Westlife members on the pitch in the flesh. Bryan, Shane, Kian, Mark and Nicky sang “More Than Words” a cappella style for their fans before the match commenced.

Soon after, the ref blew the whistle for the start of the first half. It was indeed an entertaining match because almost all of the players on the pitch didn't know how to play football except for the Westlife boys and their manager, sound engineer and Daniel Ong.

It was a one-sided affair until Bryan and Nicky exchanged jerseys with VJ KC and Sarah, the lucky winner from Australia respectively. At this point, “Asia United” was down 2-5.

During half time, two cheerleading teams came out and did their stuff. Watching these two teams reminded me of the movie “Bring It On”. I probably think they referred to the movie for some 'inspiration', as some of their moves were a bit too similar to the ones in the movie. Anyway, it was a good attempt by the cheerleaders.

When the second half of Westlife Asia Cup 2000 commenced, the match became more competitive with Bryan and Nicky on “Asia United's” side. The action was tense and hilarious at some points. The Westlife boys were acting like little kids who were let loose. At one point, Bryan's shorts was pulled down by Kian after Bryan scored a goal for “Asia United”. His white butt cheeks were contrasting to the blue jersey he was wearing. He was obviously shy of the incident but was taking it all in his stride.

Probably the most scandalous bit of the match was when Nicky was flashed THE red card. He was supposed to be sent off the pitch but somehow or rather after much confusion, the other ref replaced a player from “Asia United”. Nicky somehow made his way back to the pitch and the match resumed.

Goals after goals were scored and soon it was 8 a piece. According to the official rules of soccer, a penalty shootout thus followed. Nicky was the goalie for “Asia United” and Westlife's sound engineer assumed the role for “Westlife”.

Again almost all the balls found the net. All the players of both teams took their chance on the ball. The penalty shootout was an intense affair. And again they were level at 11-11.

The ref then decided to give an extra penalty shoot to both teams. The first team to net the ball wins the 'coveted' title. “Westlife” had already missed their chance on the penalty. When it was Bryan's turn to kick ball for “Asia United”, the entire stadium plunged into silence. I believe many prayed for the ball to go in. The whole stadium shook when Bryan scored the winner for “Asia United”!

Like in a typical soccer match, Bryan ran to the side of the stadium and scaled up the wall to be with his fans on the upper terrace. Taking advantage of the situation, the fans mobbed him. The poor bouncers had no chance to get anywhere near Bryan, there were simply too many of them fans!

After much fan-fare and everything, the prizes were given out by Perfect 10's Programme Manager, Georgina Chang. And that was the end of the first half of Westlife's day out in Singapore.