U-23 Football: Shahfiq Ghani header seals 1–0 victory for Singapore over Cambodia

By Zaher Wahab

After a series of misses, Singapore finally scores the winning goal through Shafiq Ghani’s (#26) header. (Photo 1 © Mookken Chandran/Red Sports)

Hougang Stadium, Sunday, November 24 2013 – The Singapore U-23 ‘A’ side triumphed 1–0 over their Cambodian counterparts in an international friendly courtesy of a Shahfiq Ghani (SIN #26) header in the 75th minute. This comes after Friday’s defeat at Jalan Besar Stadium, when the Cambodian U-23 ‘B’ team beat Singapore U-23 ‘B’ 1–0.

These matches were among a series of warm up games before the Young Lions leave for the South-east Asian (SEA) Games football tournament in Naypyidaw, Myanmar, early next month.

Played in front of a paltry crowd of 429 spectators, the Young Lions started the game strongly, winning the first two corners of the game. They also had several shots on target within the first 15 minutes of the first half.

Singapore’s best chance to open the scoring came in the 33rd minute of play when forward Sahil Suhaimi’s (SIN #3) powerful grounder hit the side netting.

The Young Lions were denied goals time and time again by the sterling performance of the Cambodian goalie, Sou Yaty, who pulled off a string of three consecutive acrobatic saves late in the second half. With the Cambodian defence stubbornly soaking up the attacks, it took a nod-in from Safuwan Baharuddin (SIN #21), for Shahfiq Ghani to connect and score the night’s only goal.

However, it was clear that the Young Lions lacked the stamina, having been caught unawares several times – especially during the second half – by speedy Cambodian counterattacks.

“Singapore has good balance, good play and good passing. But they don’t have physical fitness, unlike other SEA Games teams like Malaysia, Indonesia and Myanmar,” shared Cambodian Coach Lee Tae Hoon in halting English, at the post match press conference.

Singapore’s U-23 coach, Aide Iskandar, echoed this view and felt that his boys did grow tired in the final third of the game. However, he said that this was the norm for matches played so close to a major tournament.

“Even the Cambodians took their time with the goal kicks and throw-ins. So I guess that explains the pace of the game. Overall, I am glad Shahfiq (Ghani) and Sahil (Suhaimi) created many problems for the Cambodian defence tonight, and it’s a matter of time before the team clicks,” shared Aide.

Coach Aide Iskandar, now faces a difficult challenge of trimming his current squad of 30 to 23 players. With medical staff monitoring winger Gabriel Quak’s (SIN #7) progress, Aide will submit his final list of 20 players on December 7, just one day before the SEA Games tournament starts.

Singapore will now take on the Philippines U-23 side on December 1 in their final warm-up game before departing for Naypyidaw on December 6. They take on Laos in their opening Group B match on December 8, before meeting Vietnam two days later.

Singapore Lineup
Izwan Mahbud (#1, GK), Shakir Hamzah (#2), Sahil Suhaimi (#3) (Iqbal Hussein #27, 90+1′), Afiq Yunos (#4) (Madhu Mohana (#6), 80′), Hafiz Sujad (#8) (Nazrul Nazari (#23), 66′), Faritz Hameed (#9), Faris Ramli (#11) (Fareez Farhan (#25), 85′), Hariss Harun (C, #14) , Zulfahmi Arifin (#17) (Izzdin Shafiq (#20), 82′), Safuwan Baharudin (#21), Shahfiq Ghani (#26)

Cambodia Lineup
Sou Yati (#1, GK), Say Piseth (#4) (Sok Sovan (#2), 76′), Sok Rithy (#5, C), Touch Pancharong (#6), Bin Chantha Thearry (#8), Keo Sokngon (#10) (Sok Pheng (#9), 72′), Sos Suhana (#12), Rous Samoeun (#15), Chhun Sothearath (#16), Chhin Chhoeun (#17) (Chan Vathanaka (#11), 72′), Phourng Soksana (#21)

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