AYG Football: Thailand break Singapore hearts with crushing win

Story by Julian Low/Red Sports. Pictures by Leslie Tan, Vanessa Lim and Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports.

Jalan Besar Stadium, Monday, June 29, 2009 - Singapore’s hopes of qualifying for the Asian Youth Games football semi-final were further dampened after a superior Thailand side beat them 4-1 to drop the hosts to the bottom of Group A.

While Singapore’s loss was a result of defensive and goalkeeping errors, Thailand’s victory erased the painful memories of the 7-0 mauling inflicted by the People's Republic of China last Saturday.

Singapore got off to a nervous start as the midfield struggled to connect their passes to the strikers, allowing Thailand to dictate the pace of the game.

It was no surprise that the first chance fell to the Thais.

As early as the 5th minute, Thai captain Charoenruen Insiri rose highest in the box but goalkeeper Fashah Iskandar pulled out a fingertip save to deny him.

The Thai players continued to take advantage of Singapore's sloppy start to pile on the pressure. But Singapore captain Jeffrey Lightfoot and his defence did well to restrict the visitors to long shots from outside the box.

Singapore had a good chance to go ahead in the 25th minute. Bamboozling his markers with pace and trickery, Hanafi Akbar cut in from the right and hit a left footed curler. The Thai goalkeeper Jit-On Pipatpong was left rooted to the spot, but breathed a huge sigh of relief when the ball floated just wide of the top corner of the goal.

Singapore keeper Fashah was called into action again just minutes later when he produced a stunning double save from the Thai strikers. However, he was caught off-guard when Charoenruen Insiri struck a vemonous long range shot into the goal.

Singapore went in search of the equalizer but a variety of misplaced passes were to let them down in the final third.

Things went from bad to worse just before the half-time whistle sounded. Fashah fumbled a routine catch from a free kick to present Ponpai Topsaporn the easy tap in from close range.

The Thais continued their onslaught in the second half and were duly rewarded with goal number three.

The Singapore defence failed to close down Charoenruen Insiri in time, allowing the Thai captain to complete his brace with yet another stinging shot from outside the box much to his delight, although Singapore’s keeper Fashah could have done better.

Despite the three-goal deficit, the home crowd kept cheering the Singapore youngsters on. Cheers exploded from the stands with every tackle won and every successful dribble.

Their faith was rewarded when substitute Muhaimin Suhaimi got back a goal for the hosts. A good build up play saw the ball finally lend up with the diminutive substitute and he powered the shot home from just outside the box.

With 10 minutes left on the clock, could there be a comeback?

The Thais answered the question by putting the game to bed a minute before time when Fashah mishandled again, spilling a free kick to allow Tanomnaew Komsan to complete the rout with another tap-in goal.

As the final whistle went off, disappointment was scribbled all over the faces of the Singapore Cubs, their dreams of qualifying to the next stage all but ended with this harsh defeat.

Credit was still given to the youngsters for putting up a commendable effort against their tougher opponents.

Singapore coach David Sivalingham said: "We had a closer game with Iran (on Saturday), so we never expected to lose by such a scoreline. Still, I must give credit to my boys."

Thailand coach Kongsri Pichai was in a buoyant mood after his team's victory, he said: "The boys know that is the way they're supposed to play. If we play like this against Iran (in the final group game), I will be happy."