Umairah Hamdan attempts to take the ball, 4 April 2023. Photo courtesy of FA Thailand. 

 

THAILAND, 5 APRIL 2023 – The Lionesses gave it their all on the pitch with their spirited performance, but alas, it was not enough to secure a spot in the second qualifying round.

 

At first, the odds appeared to be stacked against the Lionesses as their 128th-ranked opponents set the tone as soon as the opening whistle was blown. Just two minutes into the game, forward Namuunaa Narmandakh slipped in past defenders Rosnani Azman and Fatin Ridzwan, before lobbing it over goalkeeper Beatrice Tan to give Mongolia a lead. 

 

The Lionesses were unfazed by this setback, as they quickly adapted to their opponents’ aggressive stance. The players shifted a gear pulling off some deft moves and passing play as they took control of the game, in an attempt to claw back an equaliser.

 

Danelle Tan up against Mongolia, 4 April 2023. Photo courtesy of FA Thailand. 

 

Their efforts were not in vain. In the 42th minute, London Bees forward Danelle Tan converted a long pass assist from defender Stephanie Dominguez into a goal, ending Singapore’s goalless drought throughout their campaign.

 

With the first half ending in a draw, both teams were neck and neck as they tussled for possession of the ball upon the resumption of the second half. The long-awaited moment came for the Lionesses in the 79th minute when Dominguez lifted a cross from outside the box, which goalkeeper Byambatsetseg Munkhzul inadvertently pushed the ball away in the direction of Izzati Rosni. The forward was simply at the right place at the right time, as she calmly bundled it from close range.

 

Izzati Rosni celebrating her goal, 4 April 2023. Photo courtesy of FA Thailand.

 

Their celebration was short-lived, however – Mongolia began pressing high up the pitch, as they looked to wear down the defense of the Lionesses. Narmandakh took that opportunity and struck again in the fourth minute of added time, ending the Lionesses’ campaign run, as the game ended in a draw. 

 

Coach Karim reflected on the match: “I must salute the players for the fight and performance they have put in [yesterday]. We have dominated a large part of the game and managed to hold our ground against a strong team with a few talented players in their rank. There’s still more for us to learn and improve on nonetheless, and I look forward to working closer with the Lionesses to see how we can better ourselves in future competitions”.

 

The Lionesses played against Thailand last Saturday, 1 April, losing 6-0 to the hosts. Mongolia will meet Thailand this Friday, 7 April, where they will compete for a spot in the second qualifying round.

 

Singapore: Beatrice Tan (GK), Fatin Ridzwan, Danelle Tan, Izzati Rosni, Putri Syaliza (Venetia Lim 69′), Ernie Sontaril, Umairah Hamdan (Khairunnisa Anwar 83′), Lila Tan (Stephanie Dominguez 39′), Dhaniyah Qasimah (Farhanah Ruhaizat 69′), Rosnani Azman, Syazwani Ruzi

Unused subs: Noor Kusumawati (GK), Erlinawaty Jaffar (GK), Rochelle Chan, Farah Nurzahirah, Nurerwadah Erwan, Sitianiwati Rosielin, Raudhah Kamis

 

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!