Story by Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports. Photos by Lim Yong Teck, Clara Yuan and Joseph Lee/Red Sports
Paul Pogba (#6) of Juventus FC controls the ball against Faris Ramli (#10) and Hariss Harun (#14) of the Singapore Selection team. Pogba contributed a goal in Juventus’ 5–0 victory. (Photo 1 © Lim Yong Teck/Red Sports)
National Stadium, Saturday, August 17, 2014 — In the presence of a 27,338-strong crowd, Italian Serie A champions, Juventus Football Club, defeated a Singapore Selection side 5–0. The friendly match was the first football match to be played at the new state-of-the-art National Stadium.
Andrea Pirlo (#21) led the visitors with two goals and was named the man of the match.
In the 16th minute, Pirlo (#21) scored the first goal off a low free-kick from the top of the penalty box. Pirlo’s goal marked the first ever goal at the new facility. In the 43rd minute, Pirlo added a penalty to give Juventus a 2–0 lead to end the opening half.
Just two minutes into the second half, Paul Pogba (#6) beat Singapore’s Al-Qaasimy Abdul Rahman (#16) off the dribble and extended Juventus’ lead to three with a volley from the left flank. On the ensuing possession, Faris Ramli (#10) managed to penetrate the relaxed Juventus defence but his attempt was off the mark.
Sebastian Giovinco (#12) added another goal in the 51st minute off a corner-kick by Andrea Pirlo (#21). The final goal came in the 71st minute from an unmarked Kwadwo Asamoah (#22) in the middle of the penalty box.
In the closing minutes of the match, Singapore Selection substitute keeper Izwan Mahbud (#1) made several brilliant saves to prevent any further scoring from the relentless visitors.
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri praised the Singapore Selection team. “The Singapore team was a selection team, so it is not as easy to play together, given the situation. Football in Singapore is developing and getting better, so it is important to highlight this,” said Allegri through a translator.
Singapore’s German coach Bernd Stange said, “The result is not the most important thing for a friendly against a top-class team like Juventus. It is the experience of playing against such a high-level opponent, which is rare, that is most important for the players’ development, both individually and as a team.”
“We need more practice, and if we cannot deliver that, we cannot take big steps forward. An attendance of 27,338 is good for a first event, but it could be better. You need supporters, which can become a cauldron of fear for the opponents,” added Stange.
Stange highlighted that supporters were necessary in order to develop Singapore’s football culture. “We have to convince our fans to come see football. We are selling a product and we must deliver a good product. If football is good, people will come. We cannot lift a rock with one finger. We need everybody to help us.”
Scoring by Half
Singapore Selection vs Juventus FC
First half: 0–2
Second half: 0–3 (0–5)
Singapore Selection Roster
Izwan Mahbud (#1), Shakir Hamzah (#2), Shaiful Esah (#3), Afiq Yunos (#4), Baihakki Khaizan (#5), Gabriel Quak (#7), Shahdan Sulaiman (#8), Sahil Suhaimi (#9), Faris Ramli (#10), Shahfiq Ghani (#11), Iqbal Hussain (#12), Miroslav Pejic (#13), Hariss Harun (#14), Sirina Camara (#15), Al-Qaasimy Abdul Rahman (#16), Shahril Ishak (#17), Hassan Sunny (#18), Khairul Amri (#19), Nicholas Leandro Velez (#20), Safuwan Baharudin (#21), Zulfahmi Arifin (#23)
Juventus FC Roster
Gianluigi Buffon (#1), Giorgio Chiellini (#3), Jose Martin Caceres (#4), Angelo Ogbonna (#5), Paul Pogba (#6), Simone Pepe (#7), Claudio Marchisio (#8), Carlos Tevez (#10), Kingsley Coman (#11), Sebastian Giovinco (#12), Fernando Llorente (#14), Marco Motta (#16), Leonardo Bonucci (#19), Simone Padoin (#20), Andrea Pirlo (#21), Kwadwo Asamoah (#22), Mattia Vitale (#24), Stephan Lichsteiner (#26), Marco Storari (#30), Patrice Evra (#33), Rubens Moedim (#34), Sergio Buenacasa (#36), Roberto Pereyra (#37), Luca Marrone (#39), Carlos Blanco Moreno (#43), Emyl Audero (#77)
More photos next page
Leave A Comment