Story by Zaher Wahab
Gabriel Quak (#7) celebrates after scoring his second international goal. Singapore triumphed over Syria in a 2–1 win which put them third in Group A. (Photo by Alfie Lee/FAS)
Jalan Besar Stadium, Tuesday, October 15, 2013 — A young, all Singapore-born side registered a 2–1 win against a highly favoured Syrian side. This was their first win in Group A of the 2015 AFC Asian Cup qualifying round, lifting them to third place in the group. They lost to 0–4 to Jordan and 0–2 to Oman in their previous games.
Syria came into the game having drawn 1–1 with Jordan and lost 0–1 to Oman. With this loss, Syria are now at the bottom of Group A.
With seven U-23 players fielded for this game, coach Bernd Stange opted for a youthful line-up to break Syria’s defence. This tactic paid dividends as a few of them turned out to be major contributors in the game.
Playing in their all red home kit, the Lions started the game strong. They were nearly rewarded in the second minute, when a Zulfahmi Ariffin (SIN #2) free kick found Hariss Harun (SIN #14) in a good position, who then headed it into the arms of the Syrian keeper. Despite knowing that the odds and history were against them, the boys played their hearts out in front of the 3012-strong crowd.
Both Singapore and Syria had chances in front of goal, but it was the home side that drew first blood. Khairul Amri (SIN #19) opened the accounts for the Lions, scoring his second goal in two consecutive games. It came in the 61st minute of play, thanks to a brilliant pass from Hafiz Sujad (SIN #23). Substitute Gabriel Quak (SIN #7) added to Singapore’s tally in the 81st minute, just seconds after coming on as a replacement for a tired Amri. This was his second international goal for Singapore. Reja Rafe (SYR #18) pulled one back for the visitors two minutes before regulation time ended, but it was too little, too late.
It was clear that coach Bernd Stange had his sights on the upcoming SEA Games in December, disregarding qualification for the final 16 of the AFC Asian Cup 2015.
“We have to be realistic about our chances of qualifying for AFC Asian Cup 2015 but tonight, we are very proud of this win. We are a team of youngsters, playing against experienced men. So this is a very good result. Our focus will be on the SEA Games and I am happy that players like Madhu, Zulfahmi and Afiq are doing well, “ shared a beaming Stange at the post match press conference.
Having beaten an opponent ranked six rungs above them in the latest FIFA rankings, Singapore will be in high spirits when they meet Syria again on the return leg on November 15. They will square off in Tehran, Iran. The match is being played on neutral ground due to the ongoing civil war in Syria. The Lions will then take on Jordan four days later, at home at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
Singapore
Goalkeeper
Hassan Sunny (#18)
Defenders
Hafiz (#23)
Baihakki Khaizan (#5)
Safuwan Baharudin (#21)
Madhu M Mohana (#6)
Midfielders
Adam Swandi (#20) (subbed out for #8 60′)
Hariss Harun (#14)
Shahril Ishak (#17)
Zulfahmi Arifin (#2)
Forwards
Shafiq Ghani (#13) (subbed out for #3 55′)
Khairul Amri (#19) (subbed out for #7 81′)
Substitutes
Izwan Mahbud (#1)
Shaiful Esah (#3) (subbed in for #13 55′)
Isa Halim (#4)
Gabriel Quak (#7) (subbed in for #19 81′)
Shahdan Sulaiman (#8) (subbed in for #20 60′)
Fadhil Salim (#11)
Sahil Sulaimi (#12)
Afiq Yunos (#15)
Faritz bin Abdul Hameed (#22)
Syria
Goalkeeper
Mosab Balhous (#1)
Defenders
Ahmad Alsaleh (#2)
Hamdi Al Massri (#4)
Nadim Sabag (#13) (subbed out for #18 81′)
Hussein Aljwayed (#14)
Midfielders
Louay Chanko (#6)
Zahir Algunami (#8) (subbed out for #10 67′)
Omar Kharbin (#17)
Mahmoud Almawas (#20) (subbed out for #7 63′)
Forwards
Ahmad Aldouni (#9)
Sanharib Malki (#16)
Substitutes
Mouaiad Alajaan (#3)
Nasser Hasan (#5)
Burhan Sahyouni (#7) (subbed in for #20 63′)
Abdulfatah Agha (#10) (subbed in for #8 67′)
Ouday Abdul Jaffal (#11)
Yaser Shushara (#12)
Alaa Al Shbbli (#15)
Reje Rafe (#18) (subbed in for #13 81′)
Omro Al Midani (#19)
Hamid Mido (#21)
Taha Mousa (#22)
Mahmoud Yousef (#23)
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