The Singaporean player judged by the Malaysian referee to have been fouled near the end of the first match has added intrigue to the dubious penalty decision that enabled his team to beat Thailand 2-1 and triggered a 15-minute protest by the Thai players. He said he thought that the referee blew the whistle against him, indicating he was not fouled or at least that the contact was minimal or not serious. If he was quoted correctly, the Singaporean player should be commended for great sportsmanship, considering the rising tension between the two camps of fans and officials.

Regardless of such a revelation, it's our duty to play a good and honourable host. Bad decisions have become somewhat an integral part of football, with world governing body FIFA even suggesting that such decisions make the game more charming and addictive. We Thais have to grit our teeth and cheer our team on. Most importantly, we must not blame the Singaporean players for Wednesday's result and must give them the credit they deserve. Starting as underdogs, they played a good game plan in the first leg, making it a fascinating contest.

The Thai team went overboard with their long protest and some improper physical approaches toward the referee. The feeling of injustice was understandable, but professional athletes must be trained to cope with it. In today's world, bad refereeing decisions cannot escape the court of public opinion and that's where a semblance of justice can be served. The Thai players' vociferous protest, which could have easily developed into a walkout, seemed to backfire and threatened to wipe out any sympathy from neutral observers.

Bilateral politics have also come into play. The bitter taste left in the mouths of both Thais and Singaporeans in the wake of the controversial Temasek deal, which has been thrown into uncertainty following the September 19 coup, has spilled over on to the football pitch. This is unfortunate because the Asean Cup final should have showcased rivalry of a different kind. The game should have been about a long-time regional superpower versus an emerging challenger, but it has become something that needs to be won for political pride.

Thai soccer fans can be bitter about the first-leg result, but this evening's game must be taken as it's supposed to be. We are the regional "giant" trying to head off yet another challenger. It used to be Malaysia, then Indonesia and then Vietnam. Now Singapore are trying to take a shot at the title, and this is what today's match is all about. Let's forget Temasek and Shin Corp and enjoy what promises to be great football this evening. If Singapore win the title, we should give their players the recognition they deserve - and show even stronger support for our national side to ensure that we can bounce back.

This is the way sport is, and one seemingly bad refereeing action or politics should not change it. Our players are known for their ability on the pitch and it should remain that way. Thai fans are hospitable and never harass opponents, and this reputation must be protected too. Football and sportsmanship must do the talking today.

The atmosphere will be highly charged at the Supachalasai Stadium, but if there was ever a good time to cement Thailand's integrity and soccer supremacy in the region, this is it. Let's turn a crisis into an opportunity and show the world we are a nation of good sportsmen, players and fans alike. The best team may not have won in Singapore, as we Thais are justifiably tempted to believe. But we should make sure the best team wins in Bangkok today, cleanly and honourably.