The ball ends up in the back of the Selangor net for the only goal of the game. (Photo courtesy of FAS)
Shah Alam Stadium, Saturday, October 1, 2011 — A Singapore Selection were 1-0 winners over a Selangor Selection that included guest players Safee Sali, Jesper Blomqvist and Jason McAteer in front of 75,000 spectators.
Selangor had an early scare in the fourth minute when a through ball from Singapore forward, Fazrul Nawaz found Aleksandar Duric. The 41-year-old looked set on goal but Selangor’s keeper, Jeevanantaham was quick off his line to get to the ball first.
Selangor replied quickly a minute later when Malaysian striker, Safee Sali, had a crack at goal. He pounced on a loose ball just outside the penalty box as the Singapore defence failed to close him down. His shot was straight at Singapore custodian, Lionel Lewis.
Geylang United striker, Hafiz Rahim, then showed what he was made of with a shot from way out in the 18th minute. After spotting Selangor’s Jeevanantaham off his line, Hafiz decided to go for goal with a well-weighted lob but his attempt just sailed over the crossbar.
Selangor almost broke the deadlock a few minutes later after a mix-up in the Singapore defence. The back four failed to clear the ball inside the penalty area but Amri Yahyah’s shot was blocked off once again by Lionel.
Singapore came close themselves in the 31st minute but Aleksandar Duric’s header was just wide off the post.
The Lions then wasted another chance to break the deadlock in the closing stages of the first half when once again, Duric had a great chance on goal. His one-on-one attempt was quickly closed down by the Selangor keeper.
The second half saw Izwan Mahbud, replacing Lionel Lewis in goal for the Lions.
Izwan was soon called back into action again in the 52nd minute, after a low ball was driven across the Singapore goal mouth to find Safee Sali unmarked. Izwan was at full stretch to deny Selangor once again.
Singapore was next to test the abilities of Selangor’s keeper when a carefully placed goal-bound shot by substitute Isa Halim was tipped over by Jeevanantaham.
Singapore then piled on the pressure for the next couple of minutes and were duly rewarded for their efforts in the 66th minute. A cross ended up in the back of the net after a deflection from a Selangor defender for the only goal of the game.
Speaking of the game, coach Radojko Avramovic said, “It was an intense game despite it being a friendly. It was a very good game of football and we will use it as an opportunity to try out some players in certain positions. This match was also a good preparation leading up to the upcoming international matches.”
Singapore Starting Lineup
Lionel Lewis (Izwan Mahbud 45’), Daniel Bennett, Safuwan Baharudin, Shaiful Esah, Juma’at Jantan, Shahril Ishak (C) (Shahdan Sulaiman 69’), Hafiz Rahim (Ruzaini Zainal 57’) (Ismail Yunos 73’), Shi Jiayi, Fazrul Nawaz, Aleksandar Duric, Noh Rahman (Isa Halim 57’).
Substitutes: Delwinder Singh, Ismail Yunos, Ruzaini Zainal, Izwan Mahbud, Hamqaamal Shah, Shahdan Sulaiman, Isa Halim
Selangor Starting Lineup
Razman Roslan, Asraruddin Omar, Safiq Rahim, Bunyamin Umar, P. Gunalan, Amri Yahyah (C) (Rudie Ramli 82’), Amirulhadi (Azidan Sarudin 88’), Jeevanantaham, Safee Sali (Fitri Shazwan 71’), Jason Mc Ateer (Nazri Ahmad 72’), Jesper Blomquist
Substitutes: Nazri Ahmad, Rudie Ramli, Hardi Jaafar, Yosri Derma Raju, Azidan Sarudin, D. Surendran, Iqbal Suhimi, Fadzil Saari, Fitri Shazwan,
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