MALAYSIA EDGE SINGAPORE TO GO TOP

The Malaysian side started the game strongly and scored in each half of the match to beat their close neighbour with goals off Garry Steven Robbat in the 33rd minute and another from Mohammad Aminuddin Samki nine minutes to the end.

But the win and the fact that they currently lead the standings fail to bring the smile to head coach Lim Kim Chon who felt that the team still have some way to go yet.

“It is a good start considering that it was their first competitive international match,” said Kim Chon.

“But more must be expected from this team where even though they won today, it is still not good enough. There’s more work to be done and we need to improve from here.”

The hard pressing at the start threw Singapore off-balance and Garry had his first real look at goal with a scorcher from 20metres but which narrowly missed the upright.

But in the 33rd minute, he finally broke the deadlock with a low header off a free kick from Mohamad Fandi Othman for the lead.

Several minutes later, his volley was blocked by recovering Singapore defender Mohamad Firman Mohd Hanif as Singapore ended the first half with Stanley Ng’s failure to make good on a one-to-one chance.

But the young Singapore side roared into the second half with several clear chances where in the 52nd minute, an unmarked G. Pravin had the time and the space to slot the ball home but instead shot to Malaysian custodian Zulfadhli Mohamad instead.

In the 73rd minute, Singapore came close again but Muhammad Shafiq Ghani’s attempt was parried out by Zulfadhli.

Eight minutes later, Malaysia put the game beyond contention when Garry fed the ball to Mohammad Aminuddin, whose one-timer went to the far post beyond the reach of Singapore goalie Muhammad Syazwan Buhari.

And things got worse for Singapore towards the end of the tie when Firman was ejected from the field of play by referee Allan Mertinez for picking his second yellow card in the game.

“We did not play well in the first half but we created a lot of chances after the break,” said Singapore head coach Masanaga Kageyama.

“In the second half, we played football but since the players can’t score goals, we cannot win.”

TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE and RESULTS

09/07/08
AUSTRALIA 2 BAHRAIN 1
SINGAPORE 0 MALAYSIA 2

11/07/08
1600 WIB: Bahrain vs Singapore
1900 WIB: Indonesia vs Australia

13/07/08
1600 WIB: Australia vs Malaysia
1900 WIB: Bahrain vs Indonesia

15/07/08
1600 WIB: Malaysia vs Indonesia
1900 WIB: Singapore vs Australia

17/07/08
1600 WIB: Indonesia vs Singapore
1900 WIB: Malaysia vs Bahrain

19/07/08
1600 WIB: Third vs Fourth
1900 WIB: First vs Second (Grand Final)

CURRENT STANDINGS (after the first match day)

1. MALAYSIA 3pts (+2)

2. AUSTRALIA 3pts (+1)

3. BAHRAIN 0pt (-1)

4. SINGAPORE 0pt (-2)

5. INDONESIA – bye