NAYPYITAW (15 Dec 2013) – Singapore booked their place in the semi-finals of the men’s football event as Malaysia were still uncertain for the other slot from Group A following the 1-1 draw between the two traditional rivals this afternoon at the Wunna Theikdi Stadium.
Singapore’s Muhammad Afiq Yunos gave the young Lions squad the lead in the 62nd minute before Mohd Rozaimi Abdul Rahman scored the equalizer for Malaysia at the tail end of the tie.
“It was two points lost today but it was always going to be tough considering the history between the two countries,” said Singapore coach Aide Iskandar. “But we are certain of a place in the semi-finals and that was important.”
With the one point each for Singapore (now 8 points) and also Malaysia (7 points), both teams are on first and second in the standings while Vietnam (3 points) are on third and who will take on Laos later tonight.
With Malaysia needing to win and Singapore satisfied with just a draw, the game had all the markings of the usual antagonisms between the two long-standing rivals.
And it could not have begun any livelier than with a rocket from Singapore striker Sahil Suhaimi off a corner from Hariss Harun that was blocked by Malaysian keeper Mohd Izham Tarmizi Roslan.
Malaysia then replied with a string of chances but striker A. Thamil Arasu just could not make it count as Singapore keeper Mohamad Izwan Mahbud continued to be a bane to the Malaysian frontline.
With captain Mohd Irfan Fazil faring no better and then Singapore’s Shafiq Ghani freeekick narrowly missing the upright in the 35th minute, the game were all deadlock at the half.
Malaysia continued to press well into the second half but it was Singapore who took the lead in the 62nd minute when off a freekick, Sahil played the ball back to Muhammad Afiq Yunos, who did not hesitate to put the ball into the net.
Under pressure, Malaysia continue to play their usual pressing game where the introduction of Muhammad Nazmi Faiz and then Mohd Rozaimi Abdul Rahman, it gave the Malaysian frontline more bite.
With defeat staring at them as they go into the last few minutes of the tie, a freekick just at the edge of the Singapore changed the outcome of the tie when Mohd Rozaimi curled the ball in to finally beat Mohamad Izwan.
“We were not playing for a draw for sure but it was kind of expected as games between us and Singapore were always close,” said Malaysian coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee. “We are still confident that we can make the semi-finals when we take on Vietnam in two days.”
GROUP A CURRENT STANDINGS
|
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts |
| SINGAPORE |
4 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
5 |
2 |
+3 |
8 |
| MALAYSIA |
3 |
2 |
1 |
0 |
7 |
2 |
+5 |
7 |
| VIETNAM |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
7 |
1 |
+6 |
3 |
| LAOS |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
5 |
−3 |
1 |
| BRUNEI |
3 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
11 |
−11 |
0 |
