National Teams – Age-group ● Mar 26, 2023
U22s fall to Cambodia
Abdul Rasaq fends off two defenders, 26 March 2023
SINGAPORE, 26 MARCH 2023 – The Singapore Under-22 team concluded their Merlion Cup 2023 campaign with a 1-2 loss to Cambodia.
The Young Lions paid the price of a sloppy first half, conceding two cheap goals in the 12th and 31st minute. Although Jordan Emaviwe pulled a goal back in the second half, it was too little too late.
Singapore had the first chance of the game in the opening minutes. Defender Ryaan Sanizal was left unmarked in the penalty box but his goal bound effort was deflected away by a Cambodian defender.
The effort at goal stirred the Cambodians into life. Growing into the game, they held most of the possession and took the lead in the 12th minute through a well taken volley by Voeun Va. Cambodia doubled the lead in the 31st minute through Ky Rina, whose powerful volley gave Wayne Chew no chance.
Singapore came out firing in the second half, with full back Adam Reefdy coming closest to pulling a goal back, but his goal bound effort was cleared off the line.
Substitutes Nicky Melvin Singh and Jared Gallagher, who replaced Syahadat Masnawi and Fathullah Rahmat respectively, made a difference with their energy and aggressiveness. It was Nicky’s mazy run which led to Singapore’s goal in the 74th minute.
Cutting in from the right, the winger’s run was halted illegally at the edge of the box. Jordan Emaviwe stepped up and superbly curled the ball into the bottom left corner. The home side piled on the pressure in search of an equaliser but ultimately fell to their second loss in the tournament.
Jordan Emaviwe pulls a goal back from a free kick, 26 March 2023
Head Coach Philippe Aw reflected after the match: “It was a positive second half performance, there was no denying that the boys never gave up and fought till the last minute. But that being said, it was a poor first half and they must be switched on from the very first minute.
“We will make the most of the last two days of the international window to work on some tactical aspects of the game as well as to condition the boys.”
In the other match, Malaysia won Hong Kong 2-1 to lift the Merlion Cup 2023.
Singapore U22: Wayne Chew (GK), Ryaan Sanizal (Kieran Teo 33′), Bill Mamadou, Adam Reefdy (Fairuz Fazli 79′), Ilhan Noor, Fathullah Rahmat (Jared Gallagher 46′), Harhys Stewart, Ajay Robson (Amir Syafiz 71′), Jordan Emaviwe (Andrew Aw 79′), Abdul Rasaq, Syahadat Masnawi (Nicky Singh 46′)
Unused subs: Danial Iliya (GK), Aqil Yazid, Danial Crichton, Iman Hakim, Ryan Praveen.
