By Gary Lim/The New Paper
Daniel Bennett (#16) of Singapore challenges Stephan Schrock of Philippines for the header. (Photo 1: AFF Suzuki Cup website)
Philippine Sports Stadium, Saturday, November 19, 2016 — Singapore ground out a hard-fought goal-less draw in their opening ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup match against hosts Philippines on Saturday night.
The Lions will be pleased with the point, after playing with only 10 men for almost an hour, when Hafiz Sujad was dismissed in the 34th minute for a high boot on Phil Younghusband near the halfway line.
The Philippines dominated possession thereafter but were unable to convert their chances.
Substitute Hikaru Minegishi had the best opportunities to put the home side ahead.
The 25-year-old second-half substitute almost scored with his first touch in the 47th minute but in-form Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny pulled off a fine save.
On the hour mark, Stephan Schrock found himself with time and space in the penalty box but Juma’at Jantan’s last-ditch block took the sting out of his shot.
Nine minutes from time, Minegishi should have buried home the winning goal, but he skied his effort from close range.
The attacking midfielder was thwarted again by Hassan during time added-on, as Singapore’s defence desperately held their ground.
Said Singapore captain Hariss Harun after the match: “”It was a disciplined performance (by us). We held well and we will now look forward to our next game.”
Singapore play Thailand in their next Group A game on Tuesday, while Philippines will take on Indonesia later that day.
Singapore Starting Lineup
Hassan Sunny (#18), Safuwan Baharudin (#21), Hariss Harun (#14), Juma’at Jantan (#4), Madhu Mohana (#6), Shakir Hamzah (#2), Khairul Amri (#19), Faritz Hameed (#9), Daniel Bennett (#16), M. Anumanthan (#25), Hafiz Abu Sujad (#28)
Singapore Substitutes
Izwan Mahbud (#1), Syazwan Buhari (#30), Mustafic Fahrudin (#15), Baihakki Khaizan (#5), Izzdin Shafiq (#13), Shahril Ishak (#17), Shahdan Sulaiman (#8), Yasir Hanapi (#24), Gabriel Quak (#7), Faris Ramli (#10), Sahil Suhaimi (#32), Shahfiq Ghani (#29)
Philippines Starting Lineup
Roland Muller (#15), Kevin INgreso (#14), Iain Ramsay (#7), Manuel Ott (#8), Philip Younghusband (#10), Misagh Bahadoran (#9), Stephan Schrock (#17), Mike Ott (#5), Jeffrey Christiaens (#28), Amani Aguinaldo (#12), Kenshiro Daniels (#22)
Philippines Substitutes
Patrick Deyto (#16) Nicholas O’Donnell (#32), Marco Casambre (#35), Jim Munoz (#2), James Younghusband (#23), Dennis Villanueva (#13), Daniel Gadia (#19), Hikaru Minegishi (#40), Mark Hartmann (#26), Jose Perteria (#4)
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