World Cup Qualifier: Singapore defeat Malaysia 5-3 in first leg

Story by Koh Yizhe/Red Sports. Photos by Tan Jon Han/Red Sports

World Cup Qualifiers 2nd Rnd SIN vs MAS

Qiu Li (SIN #11) embraces Singapore’s goal scorer Aleksandar Duric (#9) after the latter netted the Lion’s fifth goal in their 5-3 victory over the Malaysia Tigers in the World Cup Qualifiers. (Photo 1 © Tan Jon Han/Red Sports)

Jalan Besar Stadium, Saturday, July 23, 2011 — A first-half rampage was enough to give Singapore a 5-3 victory over arch-rivals Malaysia in their second-round, first-leg 2014 World Cup qualifier as both sides ended the match with 10 men.

Despite taking an early lead in the first minute through Safee Sali, Malaysia’s defense fell apart with goals from Aleksandar Duric, Qui Li, Mustafic Fahrudin and Shi Jiayi doing the damage in the first half to give Singapore a commanding 4-1 lead at half time.

Malaysia captain Safiq Rahim and Ismail Yunos both received their marching orders in the early part of the second half, but it was Malaysia that scored two quick-fire goals in the 70th and 71st minute through Abdul Yahaya and another from Safee Sali to reduce the deficit to just one at 3-4.

However, veteran Duric netted his second of the evening to seal the match for the Lions.

“I think it was a really exciting match to watch,” said Singapore head coach Radojko Avramovic.

“We really wanted to win this game and I think we used more of our head than emotion in the first half. One moment of loss of concentration, however, cost us our advantage. I think all the players gave 100% and you can see that they are really tired after the game.”

“90 minutes is over and there’s another 90 minutes to go. Malaysia are capable to win home and away so I think it’ll be another exciting game.”

It took Malaysia, the reigning Suzuki Cup champions, less than a minute to find the back of the net, taking advantage of a sluggish Singapore defence. A cross into the area was totally misjudged by Daniel Bennett and the ball found Safee Sali unmarked in the box. Although Izwan Mahbud did well to save the initial attempt, he was unable to stop the Malaysian striker from thumping home the rebound.

That goal woke Singapore up from their slumbers and Duric immediately put Sharbinee Allawee Ramli to the test with a shot from outside the area. Qiu Li also a great chance to level the score when his run was spotted by Shi Jiayi, but he failed to control his Home United teammate’s cross.

However, it didn’t take long for Singapore to level the match. Qiu Li won a free kick from 35 metres out in the 8th minute and his low shot was turned in by Duric as the 40-year-old applied the essential touch to redirect it into the bottom left corner.

With the score tied at 1-1, Singapore continued to dominate possession and sent wave after wave of attack against Malaysia’s nervous defence. The pressure eventually paid off with captain Shahril Ishak’s quick feet and movements winning a free kick at the edge of the area.

Up stepped Qiu Li who made no mistake as he curled his shot over the wall and into goal, leaving the Malaysian custodian rooted to the spot to give Singapore a 2-1 lead on 20 minutes.

Malaysia then had a brilliant opportunity to score nine minutes later when goal keeper Sharbinee punted a long goal kick up field for Safee.

With Singapore defence still tracking back, he managed to beat Daniel Bennett at the byline to slip a pass to a totally unmarked Ismail Faruqi Ashari. Singapore fans had their hearts in their mouths, but Izwan came to the rescue, swiftly closing the Malaysian midfielder down to save his shot before comfortably collecting the ball.

Singapore maintained possession well with Shi Jiayi and Qiu Li constantly tormenting Malaysia’s full-backs as they created chance after chance. Hariss Harun sent a shot over in the 32nd minute before Shahril Ishak had his shot from a tight angle saved.

At the other end, the Malaysian struggled to get the ball and all they had to show for their efforts were two long-ranged shots from Ismail Faruqi Ashari and Safee.

Just before half time, Singapore got the just reward for all their possession with another goal.

This time, Hariss Harun was the provider as he headed into the box for the onrushing Mustafic Fahrudin to squeeze his volley past the Malaysia goal keeper for a 3-1 lead.

Malaysia could not wait for half time, but it got worse before the break as Shi Jiayi thumped home Duric’s cross as the far post to give Singapore a massive 4-1 lead at the break.

Things got worse for the Malaysian Tigers as five minutes after the restart as they had their captain Safiq Rahim sent off for a high challenge on Hariss Harun in the 50th minute. The advantage for Singapore soon disappeared when Ismail Yunos soon followed in his footsteps as he earned his second yellow card less than five minutes later.

With the playing field level, Malaysia pushed to reduce the deficit they stunned the home support with two quick goals in the 70th and 71st minute.

First Kunanlan Subramaniam sent a cross to the far post that substitute Abdul Hadi Yahaya bundled into goal. Then Safee got his second goal of the evening when his accurate shot found the right corner of the net to make it 3-4.

The pressure was now on Singapore and they responded, with Duric and Qiu Li both making attempts at goal. The two eventually combined again to score Singapore’s fifth goal.

Qiu Li took a cross from the edge of the area and fed Duric who had his back towards goal. Although he was tightly marked by Muslim Ahmad inside the penalty box, he did well to make space for himself to turn and fire a shot past the goalkeeper.

That goal on 81 minutes effectively sealed the match for Singapore and they now bring a two-goal lead to the second leg in Malaysia.

“We got the best ever start, but the whole defence just collapsed,” bemoand Malaysia coach Rajagobal Kirshnasamy.

“They were simple goals that were conceded, and the defence looked to be at their worst. The goals came fast and I don’t know what they were doing. It’s like they were hypnotised! In the second half, we came back into the match. I have to give credit to my players because they played really well in the second half and we got two well executed goals.”

“I don’t see why we can’t get the win over there and qualify for the World Cup though. I’m confident we can do it.”

For Lions defender Daniel Bennett, he accepted responsibility for some of the slack defending but is confident of finishing the task in Malaysia.

“They gave us a hard in time in the second half and we conceded three sloppy goals in this match,” said the SAFFC defender.

“We should have been more careful with a man down, but we won and we got to be happy with what we got now. I take blame for some aspects of the performance and I am disappointed with my own performance in some places.”

“But generally, I think we did okay. We have to tighten up at the back and I think we’ll be okay. Of course we’re confident of finishing the job. We’re going to go there and we’re going to win.”

Starting Line-up for Singapore: Izwan Mahbud (#1), Safuwan Baharudin (#2), Shi Jia Yi (#7), Aleksandar Duric (#9), Qiu Li (#11)(Fazrul Nawaz (#10) 89′), Hariss Harun (#14), Mustafic Fahrudin (#15), Daniel Bennett (#16), Shahril Ishak (#17)(c) (Shahdan Sulaiman (#8) 68), Ismail Yunos (#19), Juma’at Jantan (#23) (Shaiful (#3) 91′)

Starting Line-up for Malaysia – Sharbinee (#1), Mahali (#2), Asraruddin (#4), Muslim (#5), Mohamad Fadhli Bin Mohd Shas (#6), Safiq Rahim (#8) (c), Ismail Faruqi Ashari (#9) (Mohd Amirulhadi bin Zainal (#21) 45′), Safee Sali (#10) (Izzaq Faris bin Ramlan (#20) 81′), Amar Bin Rohidan (#12), Ahmad Fakri Bin Saarani (#13) (Abdul Hadi bin Yahaya (#14) 63′), Kunanlan Subramaniam (#16).

World Cup Qualifiers 2nd Rnd SIN vs MAS