SINGAPORE (12 Dec 2012) – Mohammad Khairul Amri will forever remember the revered date of 12-12-12, for it was the day he delivered the winner against the Philippines and led Singapore into their fourth AFF Suzuki Cup final in 14 years.
Singapore, winners in 1998, 2002 and 2004, will only know their opponents after tomorrow night’s semifinal battle between Thailand and Malaysia in Bangkok. But for coach Raddy Avramovic, who led the Lions to back-to-back titles in 2002 and 2004, it does not really matter whom he meets in the final.
“The semifinal (between Malaysia and Thailand) is going to be tough and the final will be a difficult one,” said Avramovic. “I want to thank the players for their efforts today, they gave 100percent and I also want to thank the public for their support.”
For Khairul, it proved to be a day of numbers for him as the striker’s No. 19 jersey number reflected the time he scored the winner tonight.
In tonight’s match, things started badly for the visitors when goalkeeper Eduard Sacapano was booked just five minutes into the game for time wasting. Soon after, the Lions launched the first of several attempts they had in the first half. In the 11th minute, Mohamad Shaiful Esah unleashed a first-timer from outside the box but his shot swerved right.
But the Singapore fans did not have to wait very long to celebrate. Khairul Amri, unchallenged and from well beyond the box, picked out his spot and confidently curled it past Sacapano.
Fired up by the opener, Singapore almost doubled the score two minutes later but Shaiful’s screamer dipped just over the bar. Singapore kept up the pressure and from a freekick in the 27th minute, skipper Baihakki Khaizan watched his header saved.
Ten minutes from the break, oldie Alexander Duric, running in from the left, had a grounder saved. And just three minutes from time, the Philippines had a clear shot and great chance to draw level but Philip Younghusband’s somewhat weak shot was saved.
The Philippines knew that they only had 45 minutes to get back into the game. In fact, if they scored once, based on the away games rule, they would have advanced to the final. The Azkals bit down hard and charged forward in search of the elusive goal.
Angel Guirado, Philip Younghusband, Dennis Cagara, coming in from the left, and with solid support from Paul Mulders in the middle, picked up the pace and were almost camped in Lions’ den for the better part of the half. Coach Michael Weiss brought in the nippy Emelio Caligdong at the break and he too proved to be a handful.
To the dismay of 500-odd Filipino fans perched in the corner of the stadium, their strikers were simply unable to lay the finishing touches. They would make their way all the way in but would not be able to take that last crack. Weiss would admit later in the press conference that his strikers lacked the understanding to link up in front to score.
“I congratulate Singapore and wish them the best in the final. I also would kike to congratulate my players for their efforts,” said Weiss. “Singapore played well but I think they did not dominate. We had a great second half but did not create the chances to finish it.”
TEAMS
SINGAPORE (Red/Red/Red): Mohammad Izwan Mahmud (GK), Mohamad Shaiful Esah Nain, Mohammad Isa Abdul Halim, Baihakki Khaizan, Shahdan Sulaiman, Aleksandar Duric, Mustafic Fahruddin (Fazrul Nawaz 46th), Daniel Bennett, Mohammad Shahril Ishak (cpt) (MOhamad Firdaus Kasman 89th), Mohammad Khairul Amri (Muhammad Irwan Shah 68th), Muhammad Safuwan Baharudin
Head coach: Radojko Avramovic
Scorer(s): Mohammad Khairul Amri (19th)
Yellow: Fazrul Nawaz (82nd), Mohamad Shaiful (90th)
Red: nil
PHILIPPINES (White/White/White): Eduard Sacapano (GK), Robert Gier (cpt), Juan Luis Guirado, James Younghusband (Demitrius Omphroy 61st), Dennis Cagara, Philip Younghusband, Angel Guirado, Carlos Alberto De Murga (Denis Wolf 83rd), Jerry Lucena, Paul Mulders, Patrick Reichelt (Emelio Caligdong, 46th)
Head coach: Hans Michael Weiss
Scorer(s):
Yellow: Eduard Sacapano (5th)
Red: nil
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Tan Hai (Chn)
Asst Referee 1: Han Wei (Chn)
Asst Referee 2: Otsuka Haruhiro (Jpn)
Fourth Official: Ma Ning (Chn)
Match Commissioner: Dato’ Yap Nyim Keong (DOKL)
Referee Assessor: Tun Hla Aung (Mya)
General Coordinator: Joseph Samuel (AFF)
Pix by Stanley Chou (World Sport Group)
