Mediacorp Responded to Bizarre FIFA ASEAN Cup Commentary
The broadcaster is correcting match coverage after viewers flagged confusion over player identities and national anthems.
Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Soccer
Live Poll
Do you trust the quality of commentary provided during major live sports broadcasts?
Mediacorp has addressed complaints regarding unusual and inaccurate commentary during the Malaysia-Singapore FIFA ASEAN Cup match on October 1. Viewers reported that the broadcaster misidentified players and played the wrong national anthem.
Why it matters
The broadcast discrepancies sparked immediate concern among soccer fans who rely on host commentary for accurate match context. Mediacorp is now working to replace the original audio with a corrected version on its streaming platform.
Malaysia secured a 6-0 victory in the match, which is part of a tournament featuring a US$4 million total purse. Teams receive a guaranteed US$125,000 participation fee, while tournament winners are set to earn US$1 million.
The players
Mediacorp
This is a Singaporean multinational media conglomerate that manages television, radio, and digital media platforms.
Harhys Stewart
He is a professional footballer who represents the Singapore national team.
The details
During the broadcast on Mediacorp Channel 5 and mewatch, the commentator erroneously identified Singapore player Harhys Stewart as Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and attributed the Singapore national anthem to Japan. The commentary also featured out-of-context references to Tiger Woods and European football clubs like Liverpool and Manchester City.
Timeline
October 1, 2026: Malaysia defeated Singapore 6-0 in the FIFA ASEAN Cup match.
October 2, 2026: Mediacorp issued a response regarding the commentary complaints.
Season Trajectory
The broadcast error occurred during the first iteration of the FIFA ASEAN Cup, a tournament launched by FIFA in October 2025 to elevate regional soccer competition. This situation highlights the operational growing pains associated with establishing a new major international sports event.
Viewers using the mewatch platform will soon see the original, confusing commentary replaced with a corrected audio track. The match score remains a lopsided 6-0 result for Malaysia, which significantly impacts the goal difference standings for the tournament group stage.
The takeaway
Reliable sports broadcasting requires rigorous quality control, especially when introducing new tournaments to a global audience. Fans should check official streaming apps for updated versions of content if technical errors are initially reported.
Further reading
For broader coverage of regional football developments, visit the Soccer section.
Live Poll
Do you trust the quality of commentary provided during major live sports broadcasts?
