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SINGAPORE — The Group B desk on the AFF Mitsubishi Electrical Cup might present Singapore having performed twice and successful each matches.
But it surely doesn’t present how a lot the Lions have struggled to get each wins in opposition to the minnows of the group. After scraping previous Myanmar 3-2 at Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday (24 December), they laboured once more to an uninspiring 2-0 win over Laos in Vientiane on Tuesday.
Now comes the robust half: Singapore will play Cup favourites Vietnam at house on Friday, after which journey to Kuala Lumpur for the crunch match in opposition to arch-rivals Malaysia on 3 January.
Judging from their efficiency in opposition to Laos, they would wish enhancements on all areas on the pitch to get optimistic outcomes from the following two video games and advance into the semi-finals.
In contrast to the Myanmar match the place they regarded vibrant in assault however shaky in defence, it was the reverse in opposition to Laos: the defence – which welcomed the returns of veterans Hassan Sunny and Irfan Fandi from suspensions – was sturdy sufficient, however the assault was limp and disjointed all match.
In the long run, head coach Takayuki Nishigaya may thank the Lions’ conventional set-piece prowess, coupled with a late error by the Laotian goalkeeper Phounin Xayyasone, for the modest victory.
Hosts decided to maintain scoreline respectable
And modest is the suitable description for the win, because the scoreline flattered the Lions, regardless that Laos – the lowest-ranked crew in Group B at world No.187 – have been thrashed 0-6 by Vietnam and 0-5 by Malaysia of their opening two group matches.
The hosts will need to have been stung by these heavy defeats, as they pressured the Lions into sloppy turnovers all match, decided to maintain the scoreline respectable. And though they’re restricted in assault – they’re the one facet but to attain on the event – they created extra probabilities after half-time than Singapore.
Singapore started the match with out two of their scorers within the Myanmar match – Shah Shahiran and Shawal Anuar – as Nishgaya opted to rotate the line-up and usher in Zulfahmi Arifin and Tune Ui-young.
Whereas the duo fared properly, the Lions have been tentative from the outset, as passes both went astray or discovered a nippy Laos participant snatching again possession.
A well-worked set-piece routine regarded to supply the almost certainly path to aim, and positive sufficient, Singapore’s opener got here through that avenue within the thirty second minute.
A foul on left flank by Anantaza Siphongphan, gave Zulfahmi the possibility swing in an attractive, curling free-kick, and Irfan leapt the best on the far submit to go strongly house.
The aim, nonetheless, didn’t rouse the Lions out of their torpid efficiency. In truth, Laos took the initiative again, with ahead Chony Waenpaseuth slamming a vicious shot simply huge, and midfielder Phithack Kongmathilath practically catching Hassan off-guard when his lengthy try clipped the crossbar.
Nishigaya used up all his substitutions to attempt to inject extra vibrancy in assault, however the Lions continued to huff and puff with out troubling the Laos defence, till the ultimate minute of stoppage time.
Shawal, who ought to stake a declare for the beginning spot with one other vibrant efficiency, chased down an extended punt down the centre – identical to he did when scoring the winner in opposition to Myanmar. This time, Xayyasone dawdled too lengthy, and Shawal stripped the unlucky goalkeeper, and rounded him earlier than slotting into an empty web.
A modest win which can have repercussions ought to it boil right down to aim distinction between Singapore and Malaysia. The Lions have a lot to work on forward of the crunch matches.
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