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An anti-gambling advert which featured a man putting his son's life savings on Germany winning the World Cup was widely panned by Singaporeans online Wednesday after it was shown during Brazil's crushing defeat.
Read more: Football: Disaster for Brazil as Germany run riot
The advertisement by Singapore's National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) featured a group of boys excitedly discussing who will triumph in the ongoing football World Cup in Brasil.
At the end, one of them said while frowning: "I hope Germany wins. My dad bet all my savings on them." The screen then faded out to a message cautioning about the social fallout of gambling.
But for many Singaporeans, the cautionary message fell on deaf ears as Germany romped home to a record breaking 7-1 victory over Brazil – the worst semi-final defeat in World Cup history.
The advert first aired at half-time, when Germany were already 5-0 ahead, prompting much mirth and ridicule online, including from two top government officials.
"Bad timing," Tan Chuan-Jin, Singapore's Manpower Minister, wrote on his Facebook page. "Looks like the boy's father who bet all his savings on Germany will be laughing all the way to the bank!"
At 4.49am on Wednesday, Minister of State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck also addressed the irony: “Germany leads 5-0 at half time. At least the boy in the advertisement can get his savings back...”
A meme of the commercial by Singapore blogger Lee Kin Mun with the caption "Always trust your father. #GER 7 : #BRA 1" went viral on Twitter and Facebook Wednesday 9 July morning.
Dozens of other memes related to the commercial are also circulating on social media.
See the gallery: The jokes are on anti-gambling ad after Germany's historic win
Sports betting is deeply entrenched in wealthy Singapore, with many placing punts with illegal betting outfits that offer higher returns compared to legal betting.
Germany now face an encounter with either Argentina or the Netherlands in the final on 13 July Sunday.
Watch the accompanying video to the advertisement campaign below:
