SINGAPORE: The Singapore men's football team's hopes of making history took a dent on Thursday (Oct 9) after a 1-1 draw to 10-man India at the National Stadium.
A late equaliser from the away side meant that the Lions missed a crucial chance to extend their lead atop Group C, which features Hong Kong, Bangladesh and India.
Singapore now have five points, with Hong Kong on four, India on two points and Bangladesh on one point.
As of writing, the match between Hong Kong and Bangladesh had yet to conclude. Only the group winner will advance to play in the Asian Cup.
Singapore’s only appearance at the tournament was back in 1984, with an automatic qualification as the host nation. The team have yet to earn a place in the Asian Cup on merit.
India are the top-ranked side in the group (134th) while Hong Kong are 146th, Singapore are 158th and Bangladesh sit in 184th.
It was Singapore who dominated much of the first 45 as they looked to find Glenn Kweh and Shawal Anuar with the diagonal passes.
However, Gavin Lee’s men found it difficult to convert the possession to chances, and it was the away side with the first chance.
An early Liston Colacco freekick would find Macarton Nickson but his header dropped wide as Singapore custodian Izwan Mahmud looked on.
Singapore’s main threat came in the form of Lion City Sailors attacker Shawal. An incisive ball from Kyoga Nakamura almost found him, if not for a timely intervention by Muhammed Uvais.
Just before halftime, the home side got their reward as a Hariss Harun pass found Shawal who ghosted into the box, and Ikhsan tapped home.
Singapore’s Ikhsan Fandi celebrates after scoring the opening goal during an AFC Asian Cup qualifier against India at the National Stadium on Oct 9, 2025. (Photo: CNA/Wallace Woon)
There was a further boost for Singapore early in the second half as India were reduced to 10 men.
Sandesh Jhingan was adjudged to have blocked off the run off Ikhsan illegally, and received his second caution of the match.
The red card, however, seemed to jolt India into action as they seized on a number of errors by the Lions in the minutes that followed.
First a dropped catch by Izwan was hacked clear, before a misplaced pass by Ryhan Stewart almost put Singapore in danger.
Singapore could and should have gone two goals ahead minutes later. Substitute Ilhan Fandi found himself in space and with just the goalkeeper to beat, but his right-footed shot was pushed away by Gurpreet Singh.
And they were made to pay late on as an underhit pass by Jordan Emawive was gobbled up by Rahim Ali, whose goal stunned the crowd into silence.
Interim head coach Gavin Lee is continuing to helm the Lions as there has been no breakthrough in the search for a permanent head coach, following the departure of Tsutomu Ogura in June.
Singapore started their Asian Cup qualifying campaign with a 0-0 home result against Hong Kong in March, before beating Bangladesh away 2-1 in June.
Singapore will next face India next Tuesday at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa.
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A late equaliser from the away side meant that the Lions missed a crucial chance to extend their lead atop Group C, which features Hong Kong, Bangladesh and India.
Singapore now have five points, with Hong Kong on four, India on two points and Bangladesh on one point.
As of writing, the match between Hong Kong and Bangladesh had yet to conclude. Only the group winner will advance to play in the Asian Cup.
Singapore’s only appearance at the tournament was back in 1984, with an automatic qualification as the host nation. The team have yet to earn a place in the Asian Cup on merit.
India are the top-ranked side in the group (134th) while Hong Kong are 146th, Singapore are 158th and Bangladesh sit in 184th.
It was Singapore who dominated much of the first 45 as they looked to find Glenn Kweh and Shawal Anuar with the diagonal passes.
However, Gavin Lee’s men found it difficult to convert the possession to chances, and it was the away side with the first chance.
An early Liston Colacco freekick would find Macarton Nickson but his header dropped wide as Singapore custodian Izwan Mahmud looked on.
Singapore’s main threat came in the form of Lion City Sailors attacker Shawal. An incisive ball from Kyoga Nakamura almost found him, if not for a timely intervention by Muhammed Uvais.
Just before halftime, the home side got their reward as a Hariss Harun pass found Shawal who ghosted into the box, and Ikhsan tapped home.
Singapore’s Ikhsan Fandi celebrates after scoring the opening goal during an AFC Asian Cup qualifier against India at the National Stadium on Oct 9, 2025. (Photo: CNA/Wallace Woon)
There was a further boost for Singapore early in the second half as India were reduced to 10 men.
Sandesh Jhingan was adjudged to have blocked off the run off Ikhsan illegally, and received his second caution of the match.
The red card, however, seemed to jolt India into action as they seized on a number of errors by the Lions in the minutes that followed.
First a dropped catch by Izwan was hacked clear, before a misplaced pass by Ryhan Stewart almost put Singapore in danger.
Singapore could and should have gone two goals ahead minutes later. Substitute Ilhan Fandi found himself in space and with just the goalkeeper to beat, but his right-footed shot was pushed away by Gurpreet Singh.
And they were made to pay late on as an underhit pass by Jordan Emawive was gobbled up by Rahim Ali, whose goal stunned the crowd into silence.
Interim head coach Gavin Lee is continuing to helm the Lions as there has been no breakthrough in the search for a permanent head coach, following the departure of Tsutomu Ogura in June.
Singapore started their Asian Cup qualifying campaign with a 0-0 home result against Hong Kong in March, before beating Bangladesh away 2-1 in June.
Singapore will next face India next Tuesday at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa.
Continue reading...