SEA Games Football: Ho Wai Loon sent off as Singapore fail to qualify for semis after losing 0–1 to Indonesia

Story by Carissa Tan/Red Sports. Photos by Lee Jian Wei/Red Sports

Safirul Sulaiman (#28) of Singapore controls the ball against (#17) of Indonesia. (Photo 1 © Lee Jian Wei/Red Sports)

Jalan Besar Stadium, Thursday, June 11, 2015 — Singapore fell 0–1 to Indonesia at the Southeast Asian (SEA) games under-23 football tournament. The Young Lions needed no less than a win and the loss cost them a place in the semi-finals.

This was Singapore’s fourth and final group stage match and they finished the tournament with two wins and two losses. Indonesia qualified for the semi-finals along with Myanmar.

Singapore won a bronze at the last SEA Games.

Indonesia were on the offensive right from kick-off, forcing the Young Lions to retreat deep into their half.

In the 10th minute, Indonesia’s Agung Prasetyo (#15) received a yellow card for a tackle on Sahil Suhaimi (#7). Off the resulting free-kick, Pravin Guanasagaran (#12) had a shooting opportunity but the ball sailed above goal.

Singapore had a credible chance at goal when Safirul Sulaiman (#28) sent in an accurate cross to Sahil (#7) in the penalty box but the referee caught Sahil (#7) for handball.

Three minutes later, a completely unmarked Sahil (#7) squandered yet another goal opportunity when he was caught offside.

Safirul Sulaiman (#28), who played a critical role in midfield, sent in cross after cross to Sahil (#7). In the 26th minute, another Safirul (#28) cross found Sahil (#7) in front of goal but the striker missed the header.

Singapore goalkeeper Syazwan Buhari (#24) was in top form as he saved three shots from close range.

After a 0–0 first half, Singapore head coach Aide Iskandar made changes with two strikers up front.

Irfan Fandi (#17) and Muhammad Faris Ramli (#10) came on in place of Amy Recha Pristifana Samion (#9) and Stanely Ng Yong Woo (#19) respectively.

However, just a minute into the second half, Evan Dimas Darmono (#6) fired in the opening goal off a deflected cross from Muchlis Haid Ning Syaifulloh (#9).

With a semi-final spot on the line, Singapore were quick to counter-attack but a header from Sahil Suhaimi (#7) went straight into the hands of the goalkeeper.

However, it was Indonesia who had the greater possession and chances, taking shot after shot at the Singapore goal.

Things turned bleak for Singapore when left back Ho Wai Loon (#13) received his second yellow card after taking down Darmono (#6). The referee showed a protesting Wai Loon (#13) the red card and Singapore were reduced to 10 men.

After missing his chances in front of goal, Sahil (#7) was replaced by S Suria Prakash (#23).

With 15 minutes to go, Singapore appeared defeated. Passes to striker Irfan Fandi (#17) were wildly off target and almost all of their crosses failed to penetrate the Indonesian backline.

There were seven minutes of injury time but that proved insufficient time for Singapore.

Singapore Coach, Aide Iskandar, summarised, “We started the campaign with a win against Philippines with our two key players. Then, we lost to Myanmar, unfortunately, to two free-kicks and we got our winning ways back against Cambodia and today, we lost to Indonesia.”

With regard to his decision to not start Irfan Fandi and Faris Ramli, he explained, “both of them are not fully fit and that’s the reason why I had to make that tactical decision. Irfan was having flu while Faris was having some tightness to his hamstring and he couldn’t last.”

While he congratulated Indonesia for the win, he asserted, “I’m very proud of my boys. They gave their best and they pushed to get a goal, an equaliser, even though we were one man down. That’s something which is very rare to see from a Singaporean side.”

Coach Aide Iskandar ended off his speech with the news of his resignation.

Scoring by half
Singapore vs Indonesia
1st half: 0–0
2nd half: 0–1 (0–1)

Scorer
Indonesia
Evan Dimas Darmono (#6)

Singapore Starting XI
Adam Swandi (#5), Anumanthan Mohan Kumar (#6), Mohamad Sahil Suhaimi (#7), Amy Recha Pristifana Samion (#9), Pravin Guanasagaran (#12), Ho Wai Loon (#13), Sheikh Abdul Hadi Sh Othman (#15), Muhammad Al-Qaasimy Abdul Rahman (#18), Stanely Ng Yong Woo (#19), Muhammad Syazwan Buhari (#24), Safirul Sulaiman (#28)

Singapore Substitutes
Rudy Khairullah Adi Negara (#1), Muhammad Fadli Kamis (#3), Muhammad Ammirul Adli Azmi (#4), Muhammad Shamil Sharif (#8), Muhammad Faris Ramli (#10), Muhammad Shahfiq Ghani (#11), Irfan Fandi Ahmad (#17), S Suria Prakash (#23)

Indonesia Starting XI
Teguh Amiruddin (#1), Muhammad Abduh Lestaluhu (#3), Syaiful Indra Cahya (#4), Evan Dimas Darmono (#6), Ahmad Nufiandani (#7), Muchlis Haid Ning Syaifulloh (#9), Manahati Lestusen (#13), Agung Prasetyo (#15), Paulo Aktavianus Sitanggang (#17), Adam Alis Setyano (#18), Zulfiandi (#19)

Indonesia Substitutes
Vava Mario Yagalo (#2) Zalnando (#5), Muhammad Hargianto (#8), Wawan Pebriyanto (#10), Yandi Sofyan Munawar (#11), Muhammad Natshir Fadhil (#12), Hansamu Yama Pranata (#16), Ilham Udin Armaiyn (#20)

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