National Team - Lions ● Nov 13, 2018
Lions go down to Philippines in second Suzuki Cup match
Photo courtesy of AFF Suzuki Cup
BACOLOD, 13 NOVEMBER 2018 – A second-half goal from the Philippines condemned Singapore to a narrow 1-0 defeat on Tuesday night in the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2018.
The Lions put up a stout display but Patrick Reichelt’s 78th-minute winner got the hosts off to a winning start in their Group B opener at the Pana-ad Park and Stadium.
Fandi Ahmad fielded the same starting line-up that clinched victory against Indonesia last Friday and the visitors held their own, despite the Azkals seeing more of the ball.
Photo courtesy of AFF Suzuki Cup
Ikhsan Fandi came closest to breaking the deadlock for Singapore in the first half, narrowly failing to get his head to Faris Ramli’s cross on 15 minutes before curling a 20-yard free-kick wide two minutes later.
The hosts were unable to get past a Singapore rearguard marshalled well by Safuwan Baharudin, who put in a fantastic last-ditch tackle to deny Philip Younghusband on 18 minutes.
Their first shot on target came five minutes after the break through Manuel Ott, whose 25-yard strike drew a good save from Hassan Sunny.
The Singapore goalkeeper made an even better stop on 64 minutes to push over James Younghusband’s fierce effort from an angle, as the Philippines upped the ante.
Photo courtesy of AFF Suzuki Cup
Singapore were then hit by a double blow as Faris was forced off by injury, only for his replacement, Shahril Ishak, to suffer an injury just a few minutes after coming on.
Ikhsan had another chance on 76 minutes when he got to Yasir Hanapi’s cross, but the striker could only head his effort over from a difficult angle.
Reichelt then provided the breakthrough as he took down Philip Younghusband’s flick in the box and turned to fire in from close range, despite Hassan getting a touch.
Photo courtesy of AFF Suzuki Cup
It was a goal described by Fandi as a “sloppy” one to concede afterward, who believed that the Lions had otherwise done enough to get a draw.
Khairul Amri’s late introduction added more attacking impetus and the Lions gave all they had, but were ultimately unable to force a late equaliser.
Fandi’s charges will now regroup and look to bounce back against Timor Leste in their next match on 21 November, Wednesday at the National Stadium, Singapore Sports Hub.
