Monday, December 31, 2012

Harry Kewell in sight of DPMM

The Brunei Times have reported DPMM Brunei is set to sign one of the biggest name ever for the upcoming S-league season.

The club is aiming for Harry Kewell who may cost up to U$1.2 million (S$1.44 million)

The club is looking to improve on their 2009 and 2012 season where they were League Cup champions both times but ye failed to win the two most converted one - S-league and Singapore Cup.

They were also S-league runner-up last season.

Woodlands linked with Ahmad Latiff

Since being released by Tampines Rovers at the end of the season, Ahmad Latiff have being searching for a new employer and it is believed Woodlands Wellington have offered him a deal.

The 34-year-old have played for Woodlands Wellington for 3 years in 2004 to 2005 as well as the 2007 season.

Unfortunately, he tainted his last season with the club despite winning the club first silverware - League Cup - at that time as even after being named skipper at the start of the 2007 season to reward him for his senior position, he did not show it as he was banned for a number of games especially towards the middle of the season when he clashed with referee S.Kumar and was send off for shoving him which led to a lengthy ban. 

After that, the club released him despite the season not ending yet

Since then, he appeared to have clam down as shown with Tampines Rovers where he has played a part in the club last two titles win.

It is why Woodlands Wellington may welcome this Ahmad Latiff more than the one in 2007 despite the fact former international may be at his peak then rather than now.

Tampines set to appoint Nenad Bacina

Tampines Rovers are set to appoint Croatian Nenad Bacina as their coach for next year.

The only thing that is missing now is his signature on the contract as they have offered him the deal.

The former Warriors skipper have coached Woodlands Wellington in 2009 and Hougang United last season.

His other coaching experience included being Head Coach Advisor and Technical Consultant at Malaysian club PDRM as well as being youth development coach at two clubs in his native Croatia.

Current and ex-internationals at Tampines

As a paper - OK, it is TODAY - ,despite having the resources available to them, have shown they do not know the number of Singaporean internationals at Tampines, here a list of current and past ones for the upcoming season.

Khairul Amri
Shaiful Esah
Firdaus Kasman
SHAHDAN SULAIMAN
Fahrudin Mustafic
Jamil Ali
Irman Sahib
Sazali Salleh
Aleksandar Duric

Still set on signing marquee player

TODAY have reported champions Tampines Rovers are still set on signing a marquee player who salary is expected to cost a six-figure sum for any club wishing to signing such players.

At this time the club have already signed 3 foreigners - retaining Serbian forward Sead Hadzibulic and Macedonian goalkeeper Sasa Dreven as well as hiring Albirex Niigata defender Kunihiro Yamashita.

They are still searching for two more including a player fit to be the marquee player.

Home retain Indra and Masrezwan

Home United have retain forward Indra Sahdan and Masrezwan Masturi for the upcoming season.

Even with the inclusion of winger cum forward Jordan Webb as well as the capture of Warriors Aliff Shafaein, Home United forward line still look weak and is unlikely to score enough goals to sustain a title challenge.

That why the 4 remaining foreign slots for Home United looked crucial as one of them have to foreign forward who can notch the goals like Mendy did for the Bishan club for the last two seasons.

Or else it is hard to see how Home United can challenge as currently their attack looked too weak to pose any danger to mid-tier teams as alone fellow challengers SAFFC, Tampines or DPMM.

Tug of war between uniform sides for Shafiul Anuar

Shafiul Anuar is the rumored target of a tug of war between Home United and SAFFC.

The forward is wanted by both clubs to strengthen their team for the upcoming season.

The former Home United forward was firstly rumored to be sliding towards his former employer at the beginning but it appear now SAFFC have offer him a good deal as well.

And it may make him change his mind on signing with the Protectors and go with the eight-time champions who are rebuilding under V. Selveraj this season.

TODAY bloopers

Do not say I am just aiming Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) despite evidences of their biases.

Here one from Media Corp TODAY as noted by civotarum
Stags hoping to sign Bacina

no mention of Shahdan too..

I wonder how much we can trust from this report, as again poor knowledge/basic error shown by the writer. Sasa is croatian, not macedonian
It show the high standard fans demand of all their reporting from the mainstream media as we have to remember the media ask for Singapore football to uphold high standard so we are not asking anything more than what the media ask of others.

Thursday, December 27, 2012

DPMM in U$1million deal for player

African soccer weebly website claimed S-league team DPMM Brunei is set to secure Hearts of Oak midfielder Laryea Kingston.

It is reportedly worth U$1million and will put the 31-year-old as the Brunei club star signing.

The midfielder other move aboard include Israel side Hapoel Be'er Sheva in 2011, Scottish side Heart of Midlothian, Dutch team Vitesse Arnhem and a couple of Russian clubs.

Courts Young Lions set to appoint new coach

Courts Young Lions is set to appoint a new coach in the upcoming season with Singapore Selection coach Aide Iskandar appointed.

The former Singapore skipper had coached Hougang United before in 2011.

As for current coach Robin, he will likely be send to coach the Singapore Under-16 side.

Woodlands Wellington sign Yazid Yasin and Atsushi Shimono

Woodlands Wellington have signed custodian Yazid Yasin and midfielder Atsushi Shimono for the upcoming season .

Yazid Yasin have been released by a Geylang management looking to renew their squad and the Rams was quick to secure the services of a player who have total of 124 appearances for the Rams before leaving for the Eagles in 2008.

As for Atsushi Shimono, he has been in the S-league for the past four season with Albirex Niigata (S) and in that time, has helped Albirex to win the League Cup in 2011 and finished third last season with his accomplished vision and distribution of the ball lending a touch of class to the midfield.

That was why he was a popular target when Albirex decided it was time to let him go with Woodlands have to tussled with Tanjong Pagar to get him.

Home United sign trio from Warriors

Home United have move to secure the services of a trio of players from SAFFC.

They are keeper Shahril Jantan, utility man Noh Rahman and winger cum forward Aliff Shafaein.

With Lionel Lewis retired, Shahril Jantan can filled up the keeper role while No Rahman can do a job a defensive anywhere in defence or midfield. As for Aliff Shafaein, he is a player who can do a job coming off the bench if needed as well as when he start a game.

DPMM signed 2 new foreigners

The Brunei Times have reported DPMM Brunei have signed two new foreigners for the upcoming season.

They are Portuguese striker Joao Vitor Rocha De Carvalho Moreira, 26, and Guadeloupean midfielder Stephane Auvray, 31.

Moreira has represented Portugal at the Under-20 and Under-21 level while Auvray, who captains his national team, formerly laced up for Major League Soccer outfit New York Red Bulls. His profile describes him as a "defensive midfielder known for his aggressive tackling."

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Wilkinson sign for Salgaocar

Former International John Wilkinson has join I-league club Salgaocar.

The 33-year-old have been without action since falling out with Home United coach Paul Lee in July and departed once the season ended.

He has been looking for a club since having been linked with DPMM Brunei.

The midfielder is first Singaporean to play in the I-league since it inception in 1996.

Albirex released list

Albirex Niigata (S) have announced they have released these players for the upcoming season.
  1. Yutaka Nishi (F) Played: 1 match
  2. Yuhei Shiratori (M) Played: 16 matches
  3. Keita Kobayashi (M) Played: 17 matches
  4. Shoji Daiki (D) Played:0 match
  5. Hidekazu Yamamoto (D) Played: 20 matches
  6. Yuta Oguriyama (D) Played: 0 match
  7. Masahiko Ando (D) Played: 0 match
  8. Kohta Tamakawa (D) Played: 2 matches

Woodlands retain 6 players from senior squad

Blackwool, Woodlands Wellington website, have announced the current players will be retain for the upcoming season.

Senior Squad
1. Ahmadulhaq Che Omar
2. Farizal Basri
3. Oswind Suriya
4. Goh Swee Swee
5. Armanizam Dolah
6. Moon Soon-Ho

Prime League Squad
1. Fearghus Lyle Bruce
2. Dinie Fitri
3. Zulkarnain Malik
4. Mark Tan Mu Zhou
5. Nurhakim Kamsani
6. Andy Ahmad
7. Danial Tan Farhan


Other than that, Prime League players Abdul Qadir Yusoff, Ali Razali and Sidiq Abdullah have also been conscripted for National Service in the following season.

Home set to capture Shahril Jantan from Warriors

With Lionel Lewis retiring, Home United have move to replace his spot for the upcoming season.

They are targeting Shahril Jantan from SAFFC as the Warriors already have another top keeper Hassan Sunny on their book.

This have seem Shahril Jantan chances at at the Choa Chu Kang club limited this season.

While at Bishan, it is different now as Lionel Lewis is gone and the club need a new number one whp is as good between their post to challenge for the title.

DPMM released 3 of their foreigners

League Cup champions DPMM Brunei have decided to change their cast of foreigners despite finishing second in the League and winning the League Cup.

3 of their 4 foreigners - Basiru Osman, Patrick da Silva and Ivan Jerkovic - are all gone with only Tales dos Santos still contracted to the club.

In return they have been linked with players like Pascal Chimbonda and Luis Boa Morte.

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Syria win WAFF championship

Syria has won their first West Asian Football Federation (WAFF) Championship.

They defeat 2007 Asian Cup champions Iraq on penalties in the Final after both sides drew 1-1 at full time and despite another 30 minutes of extra time, the team could not tear each other apart.  

The WAFF championship had started out as a competition meant for teams not included in the Gulf Cup although in recent years Gulf Cup teams are also playing in the competition with only Qatar and UAE missing out this year.

11 teams from West Asia including powerhouse like Saudi Arabia and Iran played in this year edition.

At the same time, Oman, who are in the same Asian Cup group as Singapore, has reach the WAFF Championship semi-final stage showing they are no pushover either for they are in the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers final group stage for the Asian Zone and they have the same points as second-place and automatic World Cup qualifying spot Australia.

Jordan had been knocked out in the WAFF championship group stage but the Jordanian reach the 2014 World Cup Qualifiers final group stage for the Asian Zone and despite being last they are only 1 point away from Oman and second-placed Australia.

NexLions Cup Results

Semi-final
Singapore Selection 0-1 Liverpool U19
Sporting Lisbon U19 4-1 Manchester United U19 

Third/Fourth
Singapore Selection 1-2 Manchester United U19

Final 
Sporting Lisbon U19 2-0 Liverpool U19

Lions City Cup Results

Group A
Singapore U16 2-1 Ajax U16
Singapore U16 0-0 Porto U16
Ajax U16 3-1 Porto U16

Group B
Singapore U15 1-2 Vasco Da Gama U16
Manchester City U16 2-0 Vasco Da Gama U16
Singapore U15 0-6 Manchester City U16

Semi-final
Ajax U16 4-2 Manchester City U16
Singapore U16 4-0 Vasco Da Gama U16

Fifth/Sixth Placing
Porto U16 6-0 Singapore U15

Third/Fourth Placing
Manchester City 3-1 Vasco Da Gama U16

Final
Ajax U16 4-1 Singapore U16

Sunday, December 23, 2012

Singapore win fourth ASEAN title

Suzuki Cup 
Final, Second leg
Thailand 1-0 Singapore

Singapore has won their 4th ASEAN title as they defeated Thailand 3-2 overall.

The first leg win by Singapore at Jalan Besar proved too much for the Thais to overcome even with home advantage.
Especially as Singapore decided to sit back and let the Thais asked the questions for it is them who need not only the win but also by a two-goal margin.

For despite the Thais creating a number of chances they never make Singapore number custodian Izwan Mahbud make a save considered tough until the final 5minutes.

That was why despite getting the opening goal at the stroke of half-time, the Thais were unable to get another goal to give them the trophy.

With that, Singapore won their fourth title in the last 8 attempts and it is Raddy 3rd titles making him the most successful coach in ASEAN championship.

Singapore: 
Izwan Mahbud (GK), Daniel Bennett, Baihakki Khaizan, Safuwan Baharudin, Shaiful Esah, Mustafic Fahrudin, Isa Halim, Shahril Ishak (C), Aleksandar Duric, Shahdan Sulaiman (Farzul Nawaz), Khairul Amri (Qiu Li)

U22 Asian Cup Qualifiers results

Group E (Indonesia)
Singapore U22 2-1 Timor Leste U22
Scorer: Fareez Farhan, Madhu Mohana

Singapore U22 1-3 Japan U22
Scorer: Shamil Sharif

Singapore U22 0-0 Australia U22

Singapore U22 3-0 Macau U22
Scorer:  Faris Ramli, Al-Qaasimy, Aqhari Abdullah

Indonesia U22 2-0 Singapore U22

Group E final table
1) Japan U22 *
2) Australia U22 *
3) Indonesia U22
4) Singapore U22
5) Timor Leste U22
6) Macau U22

* Qualified for U22 Asian Cup Finals

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Singapore beat Thai 3-1 to take healthy lead to Bangkok



 Suzuki Cup
Final, first leg
Singapore 3-1 Thailand

Scorer: Mustafic Fahrudin, Khairul Amri, Baihakki Khaizan

Singapore has taken a huge lead to Bangkok as they defeated heavy favourite Thailand 3-1 at Jalan Besar.

Mustafic Fahrudin, named Man of the Match by a number of media sources, gave Singapore the lead as he scored from a spot kick after Duric was fouled in the box.

With Mustafic Fahrudin showing why he was named Man of the Match by a number of media sources for keeping Thai playmaker Teerasil Dangda quiet, the Lions should have scored a second before the break but it did not come about.

After half-time, the Thai nearly make Singapore pay as they equalised but Khairul Amri off a Duirc cross scored almost immediately for the home side to take the lead for the second time.

Singapore continue to play impressively and earn their third goals as Thai keeper flagged the last corner of the game in injury time and Baihakki pound on the mistake to give Singapore a healty two-goal lead for the reutrn leg in Bangkok in 3 days time. 

Singapore: 
Izwan Mahbud (GK), Daniel Bennett, Baihakki Khaizan, Safuwan Baharudin, Shaiful Esah, Mustafic Fahrudin, Isa Halim, Shahril Ishak (C), Aleksandar Duric, Shahdan Sulaiman, Khairul Amri  (Firdaus Kasman 85)

Thai reach Final

Thailand have reached the Suzuki Cup Final as they beat defending champion Malaysia 3-1 overall.

The Thai drew the first leg 1-1 in Malaysia and then proceed to beat the Malaysia 2-0 in the rerurn leg in Thailand.

With the result, Thailand will meet Singapore in the Final with the first leg in Singapore and the second in Thailand.

Singapore reach Suzuki Cup Final

Suzuki Cup
Semi-Final, second leg
Singapore 1-0 Philippines
Scorer: Khairul Amri

Singapore reach the final of the Suzuki Cup as they defeated Philippines 1-0 in the second leg of the Suzuki Cup semi-final at Jalan Besar.

Khairul Amri hit the winner early in the first half and had chances to kill off the game but never did.

After that, although Philippines seek a comeback yet it never materialise as they failed to breach the Singapore backline

With that, Singapore was going to their fourth Final in the past 8 editions.  

Singapore: 
Izwan Mahbud (GK), Daniel Bennett, Baihakki Khaizan, Safuwan Baharudin, Shaiful Esah, Mustafic Fahrudin (Fazrul Nawaz 46), Isa Halim, Shahril Ishak (C) (Firdaus Kasman 90), Aleksandar Duric, Shahdan Sulaiman, Khairul Amri (Irwan Shah 68)

Singapore draw with Philippines

Suzuki Cup 
Semi-Final, first leg
Philippines 0-0 Singapore

Singapore and host Philippines play to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of the Suzuki Cup semi-final.

Singapore had the better of the chances especially in the first period but failed to make a breakthrough.

Philippines recovered after the break but they did not make any impact either.

Thus both sides have all to play for in the second leg. 

Singapore
Izwan Mahbud (GK), Daniel Bennett, Baihakki Khaizan, Safuwan Baharudin, Shaiful Esah, Mustafic Fahrudin, Isa Halim, Shahdan Sulaiman, Shahril Ishak (C), Aleksandar Duric, Khairul Amri (Fazrul Nawaz 79)

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Saigon Xuan Thanh 'may not play in V-league'

VietNamNEt has reported Saigon Xuan Thanh 'may not played in the V-league' next season.

It seem despite cutting their budget by 45%, the club still have financial difficulties and owed their players up to 4 months of their wages.

That is why the club have gone to the Ho Chi Minh City authorities for help but have received no reply.

Even if the Vietnamese club, in the end, participate in the upcoming V-league season, one cannot see how they compete in the AFC Cup as the competition will require participating clubs to spend money on competing and until the Final, one may not end up financial better. 

V-league clubs have been suffering financial difficulties for the past year as a result of Vietnam economy problems which have seem their source of income (Their owners deep pocket and transfer fees) disappear.

AFC Cup fixtures for Stags and Warriors

SAFFC
5/3/2013 - vs. Semen Padang (A)
12/3/2013 - vs. Kitchee (H)
2/4/2013 - vs. Churchill Brothers (A)
10/4/2013 - vs. Churchill Brothers (H)
24/4/2013 - vs. Semen Padang (H)
1/5/2013 - vs. Kitchee (A)

Tampines Rovers
6/3/2013 - vs. Saigon Xuan Thanh (H)
13/3/2013 - vs. Selangor (A)
3/4/2013 - vs. Kingfisher East Bengal (H)
9/4/2013 - vs. Kingfisher East Bengal (A)
23/4/2013 - vs. Saigon Xuan Thanh (A)
30/4/2013 - vs. Selangor (H)

All home match will be played at JBS

Thursday, December 6, 2012

AFC Cup 2013 draw

GROUP E
Kitchee FC (Hong Kong League champions)
Semen Padang (Indonesian Champions)
Churchill Brothers (I-league second runner-up)
SAFFC (RHB Singapore Cup champions)

GROUP H
Selangor (Malaysia Super League second runner-up)
East Bengal (Federation Cup Champions)
Saigon Xuan Thanh (Vietnamese Cup Champions)
Tampines Rovers (Great Eastern-Yeo's S-league Champions)

John Wilkinson linked with DPMM

Former international John Wilkinson is reportedly on trial with DPMM and the Bruneian club could sign him.

If that is the case then the question become will Wilkinson take up a foreign slot or not.

I hope not as this can open another avenue for local players as A-league New Zealand side Wellington Phoenix are allowed to sign Aussies as local players.

After all in the end, if DPMM Brunei play a few local it can benefit Singapore football as well.

Geylang get Shotaro Ihata and Takuma Ito

Geylang have captured former Home forward Shotaro Ihata

The 25-year-old have been released by Home recently.

The club have also moved to replace Yazin Yasin with them signing Albirex Niigata (S) custodian Takuma Ito.

As for players at the club, foreigners Jozef Kaplan and Stefan Milojevic have been retain by the Eagles while locals Shah Hirul, Ridhuan Barudin, Amy Recha and Jalal.

Balestier get Qiu Li

After being released by Home, Singapore international Qiu Li has join Balestier Khalsa for the upcoming season.

Having achieved their best results, since the merger in 2003, with a sixth placed finish as well as winning the Plate Cup, Balestier are looking for even better results in 2013.

That why they are looking to plug their weakness last season as even with those good results and that was a lacked of firepower.

Qiu Li can get them those extra goals they desired if he can keep fit as the 31-year -old have fought fitness problems at his last clubs - Tampines and Home - who both released him for the same reasons.

At the same time, Gombak keeper Zaiful Nizam will joined the Tigers.

Lionel Lewis announced his retirement

Home United custodian Lionel Lewis have announced his retirement according to BoLASEPaKO.

The 30-year-old is retiring at a relatively young age for a keeper because he wish to build on his career outside football.

He will be taking up a post at Nanyang Polytechnic's (NYP) Student Affairs Department next year.
 

Jordan Webb join Home

Home United have reportedly captured Hougang winger cum forward Jordan Webb.

The Canadian have been the Cheetahs most impressive players for the past 3 seasons scoring 37 goals in all competition in the process.

This is a good capture by Home as they look to rebuild under Paul Lee again.

Jaguars sign Lounis

Gombak United defender Walid Lounis has join Tanjong Pagar United for the upcoming season according to Goal website.

The defender has been with the Bulls for the past two seasons but with the club taking a year break, he has to find a new club.

He has decided to join the Queentown club despite having other offers.

Bulls teammate K.Vikaraman will join him at the club.

The Jaguars have also move to retain defender Hafiz Osman who scored 4 goals, his best ever record.

Eagles released hero of 09

Considered by many to be the hero of 09 as Geylang won their first trophy, RHB Singapore Cup, in 9 years, Yazid Yasin has been released by the club.

The custodian had performed brilliantly throughout the 09 season especially en-route to the Singapore Cup as the Eagles, then under Mike Wong, was noted for it ability to grind out results rather than any flair they might display.

And in the Final, it was no different as the team sat back to absorb whatever Bangkok Glass can dish out before sending the sucker punch.

However, if it was not for brilliant after brilliant saves by Yazin before that, the tie will have been lost.

Still with the club seeking a new direction, the custodian time at the club has come to an end.

At the same time, foreigners Michael King and Mun Seung-Man have also been released by Geylang.

Warriors aim for former Japanese international

According to Singapore Press Holdings Straits Times, SAFFC are looking at former Japanese international Kazuyuki Toda.

The defensive midfielder have European experience as he played for English side Tottenhman Hotsupr and Dutch team ADO Den Haag.

Other than that, he was also in the Japanese squad for the 2002 World Cup Finals.

If the 34-year-old joined, he will not be lonely as SAFFC already have two other Japanese imports, Shimpei Sakurada and Tatsuro Inui, as well as Croatian import Mislav Karoglan on their books.

Tampines release Latiff and Alam Shah

Despite having play a part to win Tampines in their last 2 championship - last and this season, Ahmad Latiff has been released by the Eastern giant.

It seem his fitness woes have played a part in it as the 34-year-old has constantly failed to showcase his fitness despite his flair.

And with the club seeking to bring in new and younger players for the upcoming season, Latiff was sacrificed.

At the same time, Noh Alam Shah have also left the club as the 32-year-old failed to hit the height expected of him on his return to the S-league.

He has not scored a single goal for the club in his second stint with Tampines.

Duric get his wish

Duric has got his wish as he will be given a contract by the club to be both player and trainer.

Back in September, in a goal website podcast, the 42-year-old had revealed he was having talks with the club to be a fitness trainer as well as a part-time player.

He has now got it with the club giving him a a 1 year contract for both jobs with a right to extend at the end of the season.

Bulls skipper in demand

Gombak United skipper Obadin Aikhena may be without a club at this moment but it will not last long.

He is demand according to many reports with 3 clubs - SAFFC, Tampines and Balestier - all seeking his signature.

It is no wonder as the 26-year-old has been rock solid at the back or in midfield for the Bulls for the past 2 season.

That why despite he will take a foreign slot he will be worth it. 

Home strike force is gone

After assembling what was surely the strike force of last season as all the 3 forwards - Frederic Mendy, Qiu Li and Shotaro Ihata - were among their team top two scorers in 2011, it is all gone now.

Mendy was the only forward Home wish to retain but the 22-year-old heart was set on Europe.

As for Qiu Li and Shotaro Ihata, the club have decided there was better options.

Qiu Li once again had to fight with fitness problem throughout the season while Shotaro Ihata lost form as the season progress despite a good start.

Midfielder Shi Jia Yi also did not have his contract renewed.

Jaguars employ Vallee as coach

Tanjong Pagar United have employ ex-Etoile FC coach Partick Vallee.

The 50-year-old is delighted to be back at coaching as he has taken a six months break since departing 4th div side AFC Compiegne.

Despite a bottom Two finish in the last two seasons, the Frenchman is seeking a mid-table finishing and promising to do so by playing the brand of attractive football like Etoile according to S-league website.

Tampines will not extend Tay contract

Champions Tampines Rovers have not extend their coach Tay Peng Kee coach for the upcoming season.

Despite leading the club to the championship after taking over in August, there have always been doubts raised about Tay abilities especially after the Singapore Cup final defeat against SAFFC.

After that result, the club brought back Steven Tan to 'help out' for the final league game which the club had to win.

The club is now looking at a number of options.

At the same time, Tanjong Pagar United have not extended the contract of their coach Terry.

The former Under-23 coach has been the coach of the Queentown club for the past two seasons since their returned to the S-league in 2011.

He is now expected to return to FAS where he will take a coaching post.

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Suzuki Cup semi-final

Singapore vs Philippines
Thailand vs Malaysia

Dates
Dec 8 - Philippines vs Singapore
Dec 9 - Malaysia vs Thailand

Dec 12 - Singapore vs Philippines
Dec 13 - Thailand vs Malaysia

Singapore beat Laos to reach semi-final


Suzuki Cup Group Stage  
Singapore 4-3 Laos

Scorers: Shahril Ishak (2), Khairul Amri, Fazrul Nawaz

Singapore beat Laos 4-3 to reach the semi-final of the Suzuki Cup but it was as close as the scorelijne suggest.

The Lions went down 0-2 before skipper Shahril Ishak pull one back just before half-time.

Next the skipper will put us back on level term just after half-time and after which Khariul Amri will scored a stunning free-kick to put Singapore ahead.

Fazrul Nawaz will score once again for Singapore almost immediately after the restart.

With the score and leader Indonesia losing to host and defending champion, Singapore top the group. 

Singapore
Izwan Mahbud (GK), Shi Jiayi, Baihakki Khaizan, Safuwan Baharudin, Daniel Bennett (Shaiful Esah), Mustafic Fahrudin, Shahdan Sulaiman, Fazrul Nawaz (Isa Halim), Shahril Ishak (C), Qiu Li (Khairul Amri), Aleksandar Duric