Chinese soccer fans have poured their love — and money — into a Singaporean goalkeeper's food stall after his performance in a game this week indirectly helped China advance to the third qualifying round for the World Cup in 2026.

Hassan Sunny, a 40-year-old goalkeeper on Singapore's national team, became an overnight celebrity on Chinese social media after his team's 3-1 loss to Thailand on Tuesday. 

China would have been eliminated if Thailand had won by three goals. Mr Hassan made enough saves to prevent that from happening.

Chinese fans have been lining up and buying out all the food at the stand run by Mr Hassan and his wife in Singapore. 

Those in China have been sending money using the stall's QR payment code, which has been widely shared online.

Soccer is one of the most popular spectator sports in China, though the men's national team has struggled despite investments of millions in the sport. 

The team has only reached the World Cup once, more than 20 years ago in 2002.

Cao Zichen, who sent 8.88 Singapore dollars ($10) to the goalie, said he was touched by the image of Hassan as a down-to-earth worker running a small shop, in contrast to the well-paid players in other countries including China. 

Eight is a lucky number in China that conveys wishes for wealth and prosperity.

Fans have posted screenshots of their transactions alongside comments of "Sincere appreciation from a soccer fan" or "Love from China".

Some fans described Mr Hassan on social media as the best 12th player on the Chinese team, while a few wondered if he would have tax issues with all the money pouring in. 

Others called it rather sad and embarrassing that this was how China advanced, with one saying it showed the Chinese team would rather rely on others rather than its own players.

Mr Hassan thanked the Chinese fans for their support but urged them to stop sending him money.

"For the past few days, it's been, I would say, awesome for me, because it's something I've never experienced before," Mr Hassan told Singaporean broadcaster CNA.

"I did enjoy it for a while. But having said that, I was thinking when is this going to stop? Is this legal?

"I think we have to stop somewhere," he said. 

Mr Hassan also warned that fans could be scammed as fake QR codes had also been circulated.

"I really appreciate your support for me these past few days, which has allowed me to fully experience the passion of Chinese football fans," he wrote in a social media post on Thursday.

"Over these past few days, the QR code for payments at my coconut rice stall has been widely circulated online, and some videos have even been edited with fake QR codes.

The rush was also stressful for the kitchen staff in the back.

Dapur Hassan, the food stand, quickly jumped to number one in the Singaporean snack and food section on Dianping, a Chinese restaurant review app. 

The shop specialises in nasi lemak, a popular dish of rice cooked in coconut milk and pandan leaves, which it serves with fried chicken. 

On the first day, it was sold out by 1:30 pm, Hassan's wife, Aidah Rahim said.

"I mean, yeah, my mum, my aunt, who have to keep on frying the chicken over and over again and then the eggs, because the best seller is only nasi lemak," she said with a smile.

ABC/Wires