Stephanie Gigette handles the ball, 26 June 2022.

 

SINGAPORE, 26 JUNE 2022 – Having lost 4-0 to Hong Kong on Thursday, the Singapore Women’s National Team were determined to do better on Sunday night in their second international friendly against them in four days.

 

And they did just that at the Jalan Besar Stadium by restricting the 78^th-ranked visitors to a 1-0 win after a performance that Head Coach Stephen Ng described as “improved and settled”.

 

 

While Hong Kong were still more threatening going forward, with goalkeeper Beatrice Tan having to make a few saves for Singapore, the hosts had their own opportunities and Danelle Tan would have rued not testing the Hong Kong custodian early on.

 

The only goal came in the 22^nd minute through Tsang Lai Mae Halasan, who volleyed in Wong So Han’s corner from close range.

 

But the Lionesses emerged stronger after the break and substitute Putri Syaliza, in a left wing-back position, connected well with midfielders Farhanah Ruhaizat and Izzati Rosni to trouble Hong Kong.

 

The best chance came in the 83^rd minute when Putri’s whipped cross picked out Izzati, who surged in at the far end only to be foiled by some last-ditch defending.

 

Danelle Tan dribbles the ball, 26 June 2022.

 

Ng believed that the learning experience from the two matches will serve the 132^nd-ranked Lionesses well ahead of next month’s ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Championship.

 

“We came in with a clear game plan and the girls have worked the system,” he said. “This is good for us going into the AFF Championship.

 

“(Of course), there are areas to improve on. It is an ongoing thing for football and, as a whole, the two games helped us in (terms of) getting good intensity practices.”

 

Preparations will continue before the Lionesses departs for Manila, the Philippines on 1 July. There, they will face Group A opponents Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Australia.

 

Singapore: Beatrice Tan (GK), Syazwani Ruzi (Izzati Rosni 65’), Nurhidayu Naszri (Putri Syaliza 46’), Stephanie Dominguez (C), Farhanah Ruhaizat, Dhaniyah Qasimah (Fatin Ridzwan 89’), Danelle Tan, Mastura Jeilani (Ernie Sulastri 46’), Umairah Hamdan, Dorcas Chu, Venetia Lim (Lila Tan 88’).
Unused subs: Noor Kusumawati (GK), Georgia Khoo Yow (GK), Irsalina Irwan, Claire Tay, Alyssa Yazrin, Syafiqah Peer, Afiqah Omar.

 

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