SINGAPORE, 3 DECEMBER 2019 – A resolute performance by Singapore was not enough to prevent defeat against Vietnam on Tuesday night in the 30^th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games.

 

Fandi Ahmad’s charges went down 1-0 in their fourth Group B match at the Rizal Memorial Stadium despite turning in arguably their best display of the tournament so far.

 

Hà Đức Chinh struck in the 85^th minute strike to break Singapore’s resistance and emerge as the hero for the Vietnamese, who were otherwise frustrated for the entire night.

 

Standout performances from captain Irfan Fandi and Ryhan Stewart were the brightest sparks for Singapore, with the former making crucial interventions at the back and the latter imposing himself in midfield.

 

“They are the best team… but we fought hard and the boys, credit to them, they gave everything,” Fandi said. “Obviously we are disappointed because I thought this was our best game.

 

“I thought today he (Irfan) did very well (and was) commanding at the back but… today we did very well as a team, it’s not (just) about Irfan, we made some difficulties for Vietnam (as a team).”

 

Fandi also pointed out that the Young Lions had chances in the first half, with Irfan’s fierce 30-yard free-kick troubling Nguyễn Văn Toản and Syahrul Sazali forcing the goalkeeper into a smart save as well.

The Viets, who came into the game with a perfect record of three wins from three games, upped the ante after the half but struggled to find the breakthrough until a set-piece brought them joy.

 

Triệu Việt Hưng’s whipped delivery from the right found Đoàn Văn Hậu at the far post and the defender’s header back across goal was met by the head of Đức Chinh from six yards to give Vietnam the winning goal.

Fandi added: “We’ve got to work harder for the next campaign, which some of them (current team) will still be eligible for. I hope some of these boys will (go on to) make it to the (senior) national team.”

 

Singapore are now eliminated at the group stage of the Games and will play their final match against Brunei on Thursday, 5 December at 4pm.

 

Singapore: Zharfan Rohaizad (GK), Irfan Najeeb, Tajeli Salamat, Irfan Fandi (C), Zulqarnaen Suzliman, Ryhan Stewart (Joshua Pereira 90’+3), Jacob Mahler, Syahrul Sazali, Faris Ramli (Nur Luqman Rahman 90’), Haiqal Pashia (Naqiuddin Eunos 85’), Ikhsan Fandi.
Unused subs: Kenji Rusydi (GK), Lionel Tan, Jordan Vestering, Shah Shahiran, Saifullah Akbar.