VIETNAM: Singapore’s slim hopes of reaching the ASEAN Championship final were extinguished on Sunday, 29 December 2024, after a 1-3 defeat to Vietnam at the Viet Tri stadium in Phu Tho.
The result, combined with their 0-2 loss in the first leg, saw the Lions eliminated 1-5 on aggregate.
Led by head coach Tsutomu Ogura, Singapore delivered a spirited performance across both legs but struggled to overcome Vietnam’s quality.
Despite being unfazed by playing on away turf, the Lions were left to rue missed opportunities and critical decisions that went against them.
Lions denied early lead after VAR overturns Faris Ramli’s goal
Early in the second leg, Singapore thought they had taken the lead when Faris Ramli headed home following a long throw by Lionel Tan.
However, the goal was disallowed after a lengthy Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, which determined an offside by Shawal Anuar in the build-up.
“The referee is the decision-maker. We can’t talk about: ‘when (or) if.’ This is football,” said Ogura post-match when asked if the decision had influenced the game’s outcome.
Vietnam capitalised on a contentious VAR decision just before half-time.
A review found that Lionel Tan had pulled naturalised Brazilian Nguyen Xuan Son in the penalty box.
While the initial decision to red card Tan was overturned to a yellow, Xuan Son converted from the spot in the 46th minute, putting Vietnam 1-0 up.
Singapore fights back but Vietnam seals victory with late penalty
In the second half, as Singapore searched for an equaliser, Vietnam extended their lead in the 63rd minute.
Nguyen Hoang Duc skillfully bypassed Amirul Adli and Lionel Tan before setting up Xuan Son, who slotted the ball into the net.
The Lions, however, fought back. Substitute Hami Syahin’s pass found Kyoga Nakamura, who curled a shot into the bottom corner in the 73rd minute, making it 1-2.
The goal energised Singapore, but their push for an equaliser was undone in stoppage time.
Amirul Adli’s challenge on a Vietnamese attacker in the box led to Vietnam’s second penalty of the night, which Nguyen Tien Linh converted to seal the 3-1 victory.
Ogura praised his players for their resilience, saying, “Today our players are showing that they can play our football. ”
“I’m very proud of them for improving game by game. They were not scared to play against a strong Vietnam team and showed great fighting spirit.”
The defeat followed a challenging first leg in Singapore on 26 December.
Two late goals – a controversial penalty by Nguyen Tien Linh in the 101st minute and a strike by Xuan Son three minutes later – had left the Lions with an uphill task for the return fixture.
Vietnam, who topped Group B with three wins and a draw, will now face either Thailand or the Philippines in the final.
Thailand, the defending champions, trail the Philippines 1-2 after the first leg and will need to overturn the deficit in the second leg in Bangkok on Monday, 30 December.
Singapore, who finished second in Group A with two wins, a draw, and a defeat to Thailand, will reflect on a campaign filled with progress but marked by moments of frustration.
