FAS ● Aug 24, 2019
Singapore Selection fall to narrow defeat in The Sultan of Selangor’s Cup 2019
SINGAPORE, 24 AUGUST 2019 – The Singapore Selection were edged 1-0 on Saturday night by their Selangor counterparts in The Sultan of Selangor’s Cup 2019.
Despite Nazri Nasir’s men enjoying the better of the match, the tight contest was settled by Ifedayo Olusegun’s 19th-minute goal and saw the home side win the 18th edition of the annual international friendly competition.
Kick-off was preceded by a spectacular opening ceremony that lasted around ten minutes, with a light show and a fireworks display dazzling the 54,920-strong audience at Shah Alam Stadium.
Nine of the 20-strong squad were involved in this competition for the first time and five of them started the game, led out by captain Shahdan Sulaiman. Nazri Nasir’s charges started strongly and Kyoga Nakamura nearly caught goalkeeper Khairul Azhan out with a 35-yard lob, before crossing for Jonathan Behe to head wide.
But the hosts did not lie back and Syazwan Buhari made a superb double save to deny first Amri Yahyah and then Olusegun, though he could not prevent the opener.
After a neat exchange of passes around the penalty area, the ball was worked out to the left and crossed back in for Olusegun to head in from six yards and send the home crowd wild.
The back and forth continued as Amirul Adli, Hami Syahin and Gabriel Quak all had efforts saved, while Syazwan produced another brilliant stop to tip over Amri’s smart lob.
The Singapore Selection continued to enjoy the better of the game after the break but simply could not find the back of the net, with Quak, Shahdan and Shawal Anuar spurning good chances while Shawal and Irwan Shah saw goals disallowed for offside. Khairul had to make a good save to deny Hafiz Nor, while Syazwan kept his side in the game with another fine save.
The Singaporean side continued to press until the end but found no joy against a stout Selangor defence, who held out to claim their 10th victory in this competition.
Before the main event, the crowd was entertained by a 40-minute long Veterans clash, where Selangor and Singapore football legends rolled back the years. The likes of Fandi Ahmad, Malek Awab, Steven Tan, Indra Sahdan, Gusta Guzarisha and Nazri rolled back the years, while the hosts had Dato’ Soh Chin Aun and Dato’ Santokh Singh. Singapore enjoyed the better chances with Nahar Daud, E. Manimohan and Nazri wasting opportunities, though the hosts hit the post twice and forced one stunning reflex save from Yazid Yasin. The match finished 0-0 and in the ensuing penalty shootout, Yazid saved both of Selangor’s attempts from Talib Sulaiman and Azrin Shah Zainal. With Azhar Baksin and Fahmie Abdullah converting theirs, the Singapore Veterans claimed the title back having last won it outright in 2016.
In the Singapore-Selangor Schools Challenge Cup that took place before the Veterans’ match, the Selangor Under-15s won the title for the second consecutive year after defeating the Singapore side 3-1. Captain Amir Syafiz gave Philippe Aw’s boys a dream lead with a 25-yard free-kick on three minutes, but the hosts hit back through goals from Harry Danish, Afiq Haiqal and Aliff Nufaill Azman to emerge victorious.
The Sultan of Selangor’s Cup 2019
Selangor Selection 1-0 Singapore Selection
Ifedayo Olusegun 19’
Singapore Selection: Syazwan Buhari (GK), Nazrul Nazari (Zulqarnaen Suzliman 54’), Kaishu Yamazaki, Amirul Adli (Jacob Mahler 54’), Irwan Shah, Shahdan Sulaiman (C), Hami Syahin, Kyoga Nakamura (Christopher van Huizen 78’), Faris Ramli (Hafiz Nor 69’), Gabriel Quak (Shawal Anuar 54’), Jonathan Behe.
Unused subs: Zharfan Rohaizad (GK), Faizal Roslan, Syahrul Sazali, Zulfahmi Arifin.
Selangor Veterans 0-0 Singapore Veterans
Singapore win 2-0 on penalties
Singapore Veterans: Shahri Rahim (GK), Yazid Yasin (GK), Idham Riduan, Zullkarnaen Zainal, Razali Saad, Gusta Guzarisha, E Manimohan, Samawira Basri, Indra Sahdan, Nahar Daud, Malek Awab, Azhar Baksin, Ishak Saad, Dalis Supait, Steven Tan, Mohd Noor Ali, Nazri Nasir, Kamalruzaman Zainal, Fandi Ahmad (C), Fahmie Abdullah.
Unused subs: Ahmad Sayuti, Syed Faruk, Ho Kwang Hock.
Singapore-Selangor Schools Challenge Cup
Selangor U15 3-1 Singapore U15
Harry Danish 10’, Afiq Haiqal 16’, Aliff Nufaill Azman 24’ | Amir Syafiz 3’
Singapore: Aizil Yazid (GK), Aqil Yazid, Adam Norkhalis (Junji Yoshimura 26’), Kieran Teo (Farid Jafri 26’), Ahmad Dzulfaqar (Sufian Saberin 43’), Dylan Choo (Asis Junaidi 37’), Austin Ho (Izrafil Yusof 26’), Ethan Pinto, Amir Syafiz (C), Danie Hafiy (Irfan Iskandar 39’) Khairin Nadim (Arsyad Basiron 45’).
Unused subs: Sunny Tia (GK), Ali Manaf.
