Fazrul Nawaz (#10) scores the second for Singapore against India after an assist from Khairul Amri (#19). Khairul scored the first goal. (Photo 1 © Alfie Lee/FAS. Used with permission.)
Choa Chu Kang Stadium, Tuesday, October 16, 2012 — Singapore beat visiting India 2-0 in front of 3,448 fans as the team took another step in their prepartions for the year-end ASEAN Football Championship (AFF Suzuki Cup).
Khairul Amri had one of his best games in national colours in recent time, scoring one and assisting in the other.
In the 40th minute, Shi Jiayi injured himself while crossing the ball and Khairul Amri replaced him.
Two minutes later, Khairul scored. A poor clearance by India goalkeeper Subrata Paul was headed on by Shahdan Sulaiman into the path of Khairul for a one-on-one situation. Amri made no mistake by slotting it into the bottom corner.
The Lions then extended their lead just three minutes after the game resumed, when Khairul’s cutback from the right found the late run of Fazrul Nawaz, who composed himself before chipping the ball over a defender’s head into the net to double the lead.
Young Lions captain Hafiz Abu Sujad made his international debut, coming on in the 89th minute for Shahdan Sulaiman.
Speaking at the post match press conference, India’s head coach Wim Koevermanns conceded that Singapore were the better team.
“Singapore had a good game, credits to them,” said the former Dutch international.
“We came for a win tonight, and started the game well when we had a lot of possession. But then, somehow we started losing hold of the ball and allowed Singapore into the game. From then on, we were struggling with keeping possession. We then gave a goal away, which was not what we wanted,” added Koevermanns.
Singapore’s assistant coach, Aide Iskandar, speaking in place of head coach Radojko Avramovic, felt that the boys performed well tonight.
Said the former national captain: “I think the boys did well, although I felt it wasn’t the best first half we had. In the second half we did better. It was good to see Amri scoring and assisting, it’s a good evening for us and hopefully we will pick up from here in preparation for the AFF Suzuki Cup.”
When asked if it was pleasing to see Amri and Fazrul scoring instead of relying on just Aleksandar Duric, the former Hougang head coach replied: “Definitely, it’s always pleasing to see different players score, not only Aleks. He (Duric) did well today as well, and Amri did very well when he came on. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen him play this well for Singapore, and Fazrul’s goal is pleasing as well because it’s his first after a long time.”
Aide also praised the defence for keeping a clean sheet as well.
“It’s pleasing not to concede tonight. It’s a good start and Shaiful had a superb performance. Same goes for Safuwan, Bai, as well as Irwan when he came on. We did well, and not forgetting the midfielders – Hariss, Mustafic, Isa when he came on – for protecting the defence.”
Final Result
Singapore 2 India 0
Singapore Starting Lineup
Izwan Mahbud (GK), Shaiful Esah, Baihakki Khaizan (C), Shi Jiayi (Khairul Amri 40’), Shahdan Sulaiman (Hafiz Abu Sujad 89’), Aleksandar Duric (Firdaus Kasman 90’), Fazrul Nawaz (Fazli Ayob 66’), Hariss Harun, Mustafic Fahrudin (Isa Halim 75’), Safuwan Baharudin, Juma’at Jantan (Irwan Shah 46’)
India Starting Lineup
Subrata Paul (GK), Raju Gaikwad (Gurwinder Singh 64’), Nirmal Chettri, Lenny Rodrigues, Sanju Pradhan (Jewel Raja 60’), Francisco Fernandes, Sunil Chhetri (C) (Robin Singh 60’), Mehtab Hossain (Joaquim Abranches 80’), Clifford Miranda (Anthony Pereira 77’), Gouramangi Singh, Syed Nabi (Denzil Franco 81’)
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