The starting line up for the Singapore U22s against Indonesia. (Photo courtesy of FAS)
Pekanbaru, Sunday, July 15, 2012 — The Singapore Under-22 national football squad went down 0-2 to hosts Indonesia in their final game of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U22 Championship Qualifiers.
The loss means the Young Lions failed to qualify for the 2013 AFC U22 Championship while Japan and Australia go through from their group.
The Indonesians dominated possession in front of a crowd of 50,000 and scored through a twice-taken penalty and a counter-attack.
Safirul Sulaiman hit a shot in the seventh minute that just sailed over the crossbar.
Five minutes later, Indonesian striker Agung Supriyanto was through one-on-one with Singapore’s keeper, Syazwan Buhari, but his shot hit the crossbar and out for a goal-kick.
In the 27th minute, Syazwan got his finger tips from a Rasyid Assahid shot.
In the second half, Indonesia won a penalty in the 64th minute. The initial attempt by Agung hit the crossbar, but the assistant referee waved for a retake after an infringement. Agung did not miss the second time around.
Five minutes later, it was 2-0. Agung sprinted down the centre of the pitch after a break away from the other end, and drove the ball across Syazwan for his second goal of the game.
Agung then found himself sent off for retaliating after a foul.
Singapore head coach Mike Wong said: “This has been a fantastic journey for the team, and I am happy with their performance despite losing this match. The boys have played with pride and given their all, but we know that the Indonesians are a very good side and they showed it in the game. Credit goes out to them. Having said that, I am pleased with the overall display of my team throughout the tournament.”
Singapore captain, Al-Qaasimy Abdul Rahman, echoed his coach’s sentiments.
“The Indonesians are very good and congrats to them. The boys played well and fought till the very last minute, but unfortunately, we could not find the net. This has been a very good tournament for us, and we can only improve from here,” he said.
Final Score
Singapore U22s 0 Indonesia U22s 2
Singapore U22s Starting Lineup
Syazwan Buhari, Ali Hudzaifi, Al-Qaasimy Rahman, Madhu Mohana, Sheikh Abdul Hadi, Raihan Rahman, Aqhari Abdullah, Safirul Sulaiman (Amy Recha 57’), Fareez Farhan, Shail Sharif (Basil Teo 64’), Faris Ramli (Ahmad Suhaimi 78’)
Indonesia U22 Starting Lineup
Aji Saka, Dany Saputra, Nurmufid, Hendra Adi, Rasyid, Agung Supriyanto, Agus Nova, Safrudin Tahar, Syahroni, Bima Ragil, Fandi Eko
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