SINGAPORE: Fandi Ahmad’s Singapore hammered Timor Leste 6-1 at the National Stadium on Wednesday (Nov 21) to keep their hopes of progressing to the semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup alive.
A hat-trick from Safuwan Baharudin, a brace from Ikhsan Fandi and a goal from Faris Ramli gave Singapore a comfortable win as the Lions stayed third in Group B on six points, one behind Thailand and Philippines who drew 1-1 in Bacolod City.
AdvertisementThe Lions entered the game knowing that anything less than a victory would kill off their chances of moving to the next round, and it took them just 12 minutes as Safuwan headed past Aderito Raul Fernandes.
But the Lions were barely done with their celebrations when Timor Leste got their equaliser as a lightning quick counterattack saw Rufino Walter Gama tap home.
But the home side recovered quickly and Safuwan got his second of the night in the 19th minute as he smashed home a loose ball after Zulfahmi Arifin’s freekick was smothered.
Singapore then made it 3-1 11 minutes later when Ikhsan prodded home after another set-piece was half-cleared.
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Ikhsan Fandi gives his marker the slip at the AFF Suzuki Cup match against Timor Leste on Wednesday (Nov 21). (Photo: Matthew Mohan)
Fandi’s men were turning on the style at this point and Ikhsan made it 4-1 in the 42nd minute, smashing in a superb bicycle-kick after a header across by Safuwan.
The second half was a much more subdued affair compared to the first, as the away side seemed to regain their composure. The closest the Lions could come to scoring was a fierce shot from substitute Nazrul Nazari which rebounded off the crossbar.
But the Lions found their second wind in the dying embers of the game as substitute Faris found the net in the 90th minute and Safuwan rounded off his virtuoso performance with a neat header.
Shakir Hamzah goes in for the tackle as Singapore faces Timor Leste in the AFF Suzuki Cup match on Wednesday (Nov 21). (Photo: Matthew Mohan)
Singapore’s final group game will be against Thailand at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on Sunday (Nov 25) while Philippines will travel to Indonesia.
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A hat-trick from Safuwan Baharudin, a brace from Ikhsan Fandi and a goal from Faris Ramli gave Singapore a comfortable win as the Lions stayed third in Group B on six points, one behind Thailand and Philippines who drew 1-1 in Bacolod City.
AdvertisementThe Lions entered the game knowing that anything less than a victory would kill off their chances of moving to the next round, and it took them just 12 minutes as Safuwan headed past Aderito Raul Fernandes.
But the Lions were barely done with their celebrations when Timor Leste got their equaliser as a lightning quick counterattack saw Rufino Walter Gama tap home.
But the home side recovered quickly and Safuwan got his second of the night in the 19th minute as he smashed home a loose ball after Zulfahmi Arifin’s freekick was smothered.
Singapore then made it 3-1 11 minutes later when Ikhsan prodded home after another set-piece was half-cleared.
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Fandi’s men were turning on the style at this point and Ikhsan made it 4-1 in the 42nd minute, smashing in a superb bicycle-kick after a header across by Safuwan.
The second half was a much more subdued affair compared to the first, as the away side seemed to regain their composure. The closest the Lions could come to scoring was a fierce shot from substitute Nazrul Nazari which rebounded off the crossbar.
But the Lions found their second wind in the dying embers of the game as substitute Faris found the net in the 90th minute and Safuwan rounded off his virtuoso performance with a neat header.
Singapore’s final group game will be against Thailand at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on Sunday (Nov 25) while Philippines will travel to Indonesia.
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