Story by Amir Yusof/Red Sports. Photos by Lim Weixiang/Red Sports
Singapore’s Daniel Bennett goes in with a tackle in a game where China dominated possession and created many chances with their tight, slick passing game. (Photo 1 © by Lim Weixiang/Red Sports)
Jalan Besar Stadium, Tuesday, November 15, 2011 — Singapore succumbed to a humbling 0-4 defeat by a 10-man China in their third round World Cup qualifying group.
Playing their last home match of this qualifiers, the Lions were expected to salvage some pride after what has been a largely disappointing qualifying campaign. Having narrowly lost 1-2 to China in controversial circumstances back in September, when China were awarded two dubious spot kicks while Singapore were denied a legitimate penalty claim, this result perhaps highlights the vast difference in quality between the two nations.
However, it was not just the result that left Singaporean fans frustrated but also the manner of defeat. Indifferent defending, combined with poor finishing by the Lions, meant that their impressive 6-4 second round World Cup qualifier victory over rivals Malaysia has become a distant memory.
Meanwhile, China, whose hopes of qualification have also been dashed following successive defeats to Jordan and Iraq, produced a performance their coach Jose Antonio Camacho can be proud off.
The Chinese started the game brightly, exploiting the large space in front of the Singapore defence time and time again. Yet, long range efforts from Yu-Hai and Huang Bowen sailed just wide.
With Singapore relying on direct balls to their target man Aleksandar Duric to conjure up offensive play, their failure to support Duric and also to keep possession of the ball meant that the Lions attempts on goal were few and far between.
The Lions failure to close down their opponents finally cost them five minutes before half time. After conceding a throw-in near goal, Lion’s full back Noh Rahman could only watch as Yu Hai cut the ball in and played a beautiful one-two with his teammate before finishing calmly, to the delight of the large contingent of Chinese supporters who made up the majority of the 5,500-strong crowd.
The Lions started the second half with slightly more determination and urgency. Their sense of purpose almost paid dividends when quick passing down the right by Firdaus Idros to Noh Rahman led to a driving cross by the latter into the box. Left unmarked and in some space, Duric took a touch to control the ball before placing his shot towards the top right corner of the goal. Miserably for Duric and the watching supporters, the ball hit the bar before bouncing away with Chinese custodian Yang Zhi beaten.
Lions assistant coach V Sundramoothy was left to rue that missed opportunity.
“If Duric had scored, it would have been 1-1. In football, you can never predict what would happen then,” said Sundram.
From that point on, it was all China. They doubled their lead soon after with a fantastic header by skipper Li Weifeng following the corner.
However, the goal that left Lions supporters truly exasperated was China’s third. Full back Zeng Cheng was allowed to run past four Singapore players unchallenged before dispatching his shot underneath goalkeeper Lionel Lewis. As Zheng Cheng turned away to celebrate, Daniel Bennett and Sevki Sha’ban were seen arguing over who should have covered him.
What was even worse for Singapore was that the third goal came after China’s Huang Bowen was sent off for punching Lions’ midfield anchor man Mustafic Fahrudin. The Lions’ failure to capitalise on their numerical advantage was also clearly seen in the fourth goal, when Zheng Ceng again duly finished when left unmarked in the box.
When questioned about the team’s horrendous performance, Sundram chose to focus on the positives, highlighting the performance of youngsters Firdus Idros and Hafiz Rahim.
“Hafiz (Rahim) put in some decent crosses when he came on while Fidaus (Idros) looked lively throughout. We are using these matches to see how our young players can perform and whether they will remain permanently in the national team is dependent on their development,” said Sundram.
This defeat leaves Singapore rooted to the bottom of Group A with no points from five games, with only one goal scored. Jordan and Iraq have qualified from the group for the fourth round.
Singapore will play Iraq in their final group match.
Singapore Starting Lineup
Lionel Lewis (GK), Noh Rahman, Shaiful Esah (Sevki Sha’ban, 33rd), Shi Jiayi (Isa Halim, 45th) , Aleksander Duric, Fazrul Nawaz, Ismail Yunos, Mustafic Fahrudin, Daniel Bennett, Shahril Ishak (Hafiz Rahim, 72nd), Firdaus Idros
China Starting Lineup
Yang Zhi, Zeng Cheng, Zhao Peng, Li Weifeng, Zhao Xuri, Hao Jumin, Huang Bowen, Chen Tao (Zheng Zhi, 83rd), Gao Lin (Zhang Chengdong, 83rd), Yu Hai (Yu DaBao, 85th), Liu Jianye
With regard to Singapore's 0-4 loss to China in the 2011 football World Cup qualifiers ...
- The Lions were poor. (90%, 86 Votes)
- The Lions were average. (8%, 8 Votes)
- The Lions were good. (2%, 2 Votes)
Total Voters: 96
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Firdaus Idros (#2, red) was Singapore’s standout performer in a game where some players looked like they didn’t want to play, according to head coach Raddy Avramovic . (Photo 2 © by Lim Weixiang/Red Sports)
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