Shawal Anuar is now the tournament’s top scorer with four goals, December 2024.
SINGAPORE, 17 DECEMBER 2024 – For 45 minutes at the National Stadium, the Singapore Men’s National Team looked on course for a historic win over defending champions Thailand in their 2024 ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup campaign, a win that would have sent the Lions into the semi-finals.
But a spirited fightback from Thailand overturned the Lions’ two-goal lead and saw the visitors triumph 4-2 in an eventful Group A encounter on Tuesday, 17 December.
Despite coming away empty-handed, Head Coach Tsutomu Ogura lauded the spirit shown by his charges against the 97th-ranked side in FIFA’s rankings in a performance that provided some silver lining.
“That first half was the first time I saw my players really show off our style of football since I came to Singapore,” said the 58-year-old.
“We were able to apply what we did in training against Thailand. I normally do not speak much about how well we have played, but today my players played well for some parts of the game,” he added.
Singapore’s gritty performance also earned the respect of Thailand Head Coach Masatada Ishii.
“Singapore is a very good team and their two goals were hard to defend against. They are a side which will keep on getting better in the future,” said the 57-year-old through a translator.
One of those goals came early on from Shawal Anuar – one of Coach Ogura’s four changes to the starting lineup, who produced a moment of brilliance in the 10th minute to spark the 22,611-strong crowd at the National Stadium into life.
Shawal is the tournament top-scorer, with 4 goals in Singapore’s three fixtures.
Collecting a long punt from goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud with a delicate touch in the 10th minute, the 33-year-old unleashed a venomous shot that slammed into Thailand goalkeeper Patiwat Khammai’s bottom corner. Shawal’s goal raised the roof at an already buzzing National Stadium, and clearly inspired the Lions.
With the wind in their sails, the Singapore side continued to pile forward and in the 33rd minute, Faris Ramli found himself in a dangerous position on the left flank. And spotting the Thai defenders on the retreat, the 32-year-old cut infield and sent a pinpoint shot that curled past the despairing dive of Patiwat, to double the Lions’ lead.
Thailand managed a response deep into stoppage time. A cross from Anan Yodsangwal found striker Patrik Gustavsson, who fired the ball into the bottom corner to give the away side a lifeline going into the break.
That goal appeared to be the catalyst for a second-half fightback from the away side.
“At half time, we watched the highlights from the first half. We managed to address our mistakes and we planned how to nullify the Singapore attacking threats in the second half,” said Ishii.
His side came out strongly for the second half and got their reward in the 51st minute. A ball into the Singapore box found the well-timed run of forward Suphanat Mueanta, whose looping header found the back of the net.
With the momentum now swinging in their favour, Thailand pushed forward to find their third goal, and the resolute Lions’ defence was broken in the 93rd minute when the outstretched leg of Peeradon Chamratsamee directed a cross from substitute Worachit Kanitsribumphen into the Lions’ net.
The goal was eventually awarded after a lengthy VAR check, which was met with wild celebrations from the away bench.
Singapore fought back by throwing bodies forward in search of an equaliser, but were unable to convert two late chances deep into stoppage time.
Thailand were eventually able to put the game to bed in the 15th minute of added time through another substitute – Teerasak Poeiphimai’s near post effort.
This victory meant Thailand became the first team in the tournament to book their place in the semi-finals.
In their last Group A fixture, Singapore will face Malaysia at the Bukit Jalil Stadium on Friday, 20 December, with the Lions needing at least a draw to see them through to the semi-finals.
“The beginning and ending of each half is very important. Unfortunately, in this match against Thailand we conceded late in the first half and also early in the second half which made the game difficult for us,”said Ogura, who then pointed to the positives that he and his team will look to build.
“We have to get the win against Malaysia. Although the opponent is different, we will try and play the same way that we did in the first half against Thailand.”
Tickets for Singapore’s away clash against Malaysia can be purchased from tickethotline.com.my. Fans are advised to only select seats in the Away Section.
FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE
