SINGAPORE (23 March 2015) – Singapore Under-22 team fought to a 2-2 draw against their counterparts from Cambodia at the Jurong West Stadium.
Iqbal Hussain opened the scoring for Singapore first, before Chan Vathanaka scored two to give Cambodia the lead.
Aumathan then scored the equaliser from the spot a minute from time to rescue a draw for Singapore.
When the game started, both teams were fairly equal in terms of possession, but it was Singapore who seemed more likely to break the deadlock.
The hosts started brightly and had an early chance in the third minute, but Ammirul Emmran shot over from range.
It could have been 1-0 in the 15th minute after Iqbal unleashed a fierce attempt at goal from 30 yards, but his shot clipped the crossbar before going behind for a goal-kick.
Cambodia, however, did not pay heed to the warning signs and were punished for it near the half-hour mark.
A seemingly tame cross from Faris Azienuddin on the overlap somehow made its way to Iqbal inside the crowded box, and he put the ball into the back of the net for the opener.
The goal seemed to wake the Cambodians up, as they camped inside the Singapore half for the next few minutes but just could not find their way past the rock-solid Singapore defence.
Even when they did, the centre-back pairing of Amirul Adli and Irfan Fandi were able to deal with the danger.
After the restart, Cambodia almost found the equaliser but Zulfairuuz Rudy got his hand to Chan’s powerful left-footed shot.
They did not have to wait long to level matters though. Taking advantage of Irfan Fandi’s absence in defence as he was receiving treatment, Cambodia launched a quick attack and Chan headed in Prak Mony Udom’s cross.
A host of substitutions then disrupted the momentum on the pitch, although Taufik Suparno had a chance to put Singapore ahead once again, only to be denied by Um Sereirath.
The Cambodians were then awarded a penalty for a handball by R. Aaravin. Chan made no mistake from the spot, giving Cambodia the lead.
However, Singapore eventually found a way back after the referee spotted a handball inside the Cambodia box and pointed to the spot.
Anumathan, who took over the armband after Iqbal was subbed off, kept his nerves to put the ball into the top corner for the equaliser.
Minutes later, Brandon Koh had an opportunity to retake the lead for Singapore, but he put his shot over.
There was to be no winner for either side eventually, with the referee blowing his final whistle shortly after.
SINGAPORE: Zulfairuuz Rudy (GK), Faris Azienuddin (R Aaravin 75’), Zakir Samsudin, Amirul Adli, Ammirul Emmran, Adam Swandi, Fareez Farhan (Brandon Koh 68’), Iqbal Hussain (C) (Iqram Rifqi 67’), Afiq Nor (Taufiq Muqminin 46’), Irfan Fandi (M Anumathan 56’), Shameer Aziq (Nur Ridho 85’)
CAMBODIA: Um Sereirath (GK), Soeuy Visal, Nub Tola, Ngoy Srin (Ngoy Srin 46’), Prak Mony Udom (Moung Makara 68’), Prak Chanratana (Ly Arifin 80’), Sary Matnorotin (Chheng Meng 80’), Phanny Y Ratha (Tit Dina 72’), Sam Oeun Pidor, Nen Sothearoth, Rous Samoeun (Hoy Phallin 46’)
