Youth Olympic Football: Courageous Cubs stun Montenegro 3-2 to set up semi-final date with Haiti

Story by Kenneth Tan/Red Sports. Photos by Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports

Jalan Besar Stadium, Thursday, August 19, 2010 – In front of 5,850 fans and Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the Singapore U-15 football team showed no fear going into their Youth Olympic Games second group match against Montenegro and did the nation proud by coming from behind to beat the Balkan country 3-2.

With Haiti confirmed as the last semi-finalist an hour before the kick off, the aim for the Singapore Cubs was simple — to avoid taking on Bolivia in the last four with either a win or a draw against larger opponents.

“I think the aim for both teams is to avoid Bolivia as they are a typical South American team, technically adept and pass the ball well. Also it is important to avoid yellow cards that will cause suspensions. I think Montenegro will be tough but I don’t think we will lose,” said Mark Lightfoot, father of Singapore’s captain Jeffery Lightfoot, before kick off.

The Cubs opted for continuity in their starting line-up, only making one change with reserve midfielder, Sunny Ng, starting in place of hardman Amirul Iskandar.

The hosts got off to a nervy start. Debutant Sunny Ng lost the ball in midfield to allow Montenegro’s Stevan Krivokapic (#9) through, but his shot was weak and easily picked up by Singapore’s goalkeeper Fashah Iskandar. Montenegro captain Nebojsa Kosovic (#10) then fired a 30m shot just wide a minute later.

Singapore, who had made the perfect start against Zimbabwe last Friday when they scored 11 seconds into the game, repeated the feat against Montenegro when they scored via a counter attack on the 3rd minute mark.

Playmaker Hanafi Akbar’s through ball from midfield picked out the diminutive Muhaimin Suhaimi just inside the box. Muhaimin’s speed took him past his marker as he nipped just ahead of the onrushing Montenegro goalkeeper Marko Kordic to slot into goal to the delight of the home crowd.

“I just ran into space and I kept hold of the ball,” said Muhaimin.

Singapore’s lead did not last long though.

Five minutes later, Montenegro were awarded a free kick just outside the box with captain Nebojsa Kosovic stepping up to take it. It was far from a powerful effort, but Fashah made a mess of it. The ball missed everyone and hit the startled Fashah on the knees and deflected into goal.

Singapore could have stolen back the lead three minutes later when left winger Brandon Koh was brought down by Stefan Vico (#4) but Muhaimin’s resulting free kick was blocked by the Montenegro wall.

At the other end, Montenegro had another chance 16 minutes into the game, but forward Aleksander Boljevic’s (#17) close-range shot was smothered by Fashah.

Singapore were dealt a setback six minutes later when full back Illyas Lee’s attempted high boot clearance was harshly adjudged by the referee to have brought down Boljevic inside the box.

Montenegro’s captain Kosovic made no mistakes with the resulting penalty as he slotted the ball into the bottom right corner, with Fashah slow to react.

Singapore coach Kadir Yahaya’s response was swift as he immediately introduced Amirul Iskandar to replace Sunny Ng.

The change seemed to work as Singapore kept pressing forward in search of the equaliser.

They were rewarded in the 34th minute when Montenegro goalkeeper Marko Kordic could only get a hand to Muhamin’s corner. The ball was hooked back into the danger area by Brandon Koh and fortuitously found Jeffrey Lightfoot who calmly headed the ball into the empty goal.

After squaring things up 2-2, Singapore could have taken the lead three minutes later when full back Dhukilan Jeevamani was brought down just outside the box but Muhaimin’s resulting free kick sailed high and wide.

The scores remained deadlocked at half time.

Montenegro created a dangerous chance for themselves three minutes into the second half when Boljevic was released from a great through ball from midfield but Fashah came out well to close down the forward.

Singapore then threatened two minutes later when Hanafi showed great control on the left flank to square the ball across goal, but opening-match hero Ammirul Mazlan scuffed his shot wide.

There was a worrying sign for Singapore when Fashah Iskandar remained down on the pitch clutching his right knee after a collision with Dhukilan. But the 1.82m goalkeeper managed to get up within a couple of minutes and continued to make his presence felt with a couple of important punches and brave interceptions at the forwards’ feet.

Montenegro had a chance to score in the 58th minute, but midfielder Nikola Jovanovic drilled his effort just wide of the right-hand post. That, however, proved to be his last contribution to the game as he was sent off six minutes later.

The ball was long gone after Nikola and Ammirul Mazlan were involved in a tussle for the ball. Ammirul was trying to get up but Jovanovic retaliated unnecessarily with a push towards the Singapore midfielder right before the eyes of Columbian referee, Wilmar Roldan, who flashed the red card without hesitation.

That decision riled up Montenegro coach Sava Kovacevic as his side had to play the last 16 minutes with 10 men.

For more photos, go to the next page.