BANGKOK 11 JUNE 2024 – Going into their final Group C qualifier match against a Thailand side that had a clear mission in mind to qualify at all cost, the Lions were hit with further blows on the eve of the match. Song Uiyoung was forced to withdraw after picking up an injury in training while Head Coach Tsutomu Ogura was diagnosed with COVID-19 and his duties would be taken up by Assistant Coach Gavin Lee.
The stage was set for an intense battle as both teams aimed to secure victory for vastly different objectives. The War Elephants were in search of a resounding win to stand a chance of advancing to the next round of qualification. Meanwhile the Lions, were seeking a much-improved performance following a humbling encounter in their previous fixture against Korea Republic last Thursday.
Thailand asserted their dominance early on, controlling possession and applying pressure on the Singapore defence. The Thai forward line of Suphachai Chaided and Suphanat Mueanta took turns to test the Lions defence but were kept out with some resolute defending as Singapore captain Hariss Harun and his centre back partner Safuwan Baharudin kept the Thais at bay.
Despite the Lions’ resilient efforts, Thailand capitalised on a defensive lapse to break the deadlock in the 37th minute. A ball floated over the top caught the Singapore defence napping and midfielder Chanatip Songkrasin made a run to the byline before delivering a telling pass for Suphanat to slot in the opening goal to give the hosts a deserved lead. The first half ended with Thailand on the ascendency leaving Singapore with much work to do after the interval.
The halftime break provided Singapore with an opportunity to regroup and reassess their strategy as Coach Gavin introduced Ilhan Fandi to the game in place of Ryhan Stewart. Ilhan was soon in the thick of the action as he cushioned a cross down only for his brother Ikhsan to blast wide as Singapore started to gain some inroads into the game.
With Thailand moving forward in search of more goals, the Lions sensed opportunities to catch them on the break. The opportune moment duly arrived in the 56th minute as a through ball from defence was latched on by Ikhsan as he forayed into the Thai half. Defender Kritisada Kaman backed off the Singapore forward and this allowed the BG Pathum striker to line up a shot from outside the penalty box and ram the ball past Patiwat Khammai in goal for his 18th goal in Singapore colours. The equaliser was much welcomed by the partisan travelling Singapore supporters who had made the journey up to Bangkok to give their support to the Lions in their final FIFA World qualifying match.
The goal triggered a reaction from the Thai bench as Coach Masatada Ishii brought on star striker Teerasil Dangda in search of the victory. As the match wore on, the Singapore players began to tire and was punished by a quick break away by the home side. Substitute Poramet Arjvilai managed to get past Haryhs Stewart, checked inside before delivering a fine finish that sailed into the far corner of the goal as Thailand regained the lead in the 79th minute.
The match between Korea Republic and China PR had ended earlier with the hosts winning by a solitary goal. This meant that in order to overtake China as the second placed team, Thailand needed to win by three goals in order to go through on goal difference. Roared on by their home supporters, Thailand extended their advantage in the dying moments of the game with Jaroensak Wonggorn heading in their third goal of the night after Hassan had parried away a deflected cross into his path.
The hosts went all out in search of the elusive fourth goal that would have confirmed their progression to the next round but were thwarted by Hariss, Safuwan and Hassan, the latter completing 11 saves on the night, as Singapore defended resolutely till the final whistle leaving the Thais to rue what might have been.
Singapore: Hassan Sunny (GK), Ryhan Stewart (Ilhan Fandi 46’), Glenn Kweh (Nur Adam Abdullah 67’), Safuwan Baharudin, Hariss Harun (C), Harhys Stewart, Shah Shahiran, Hami Syahin (Taufik Suparno 67’), Jacob Mahler (Christopher Van Huizen), Faris Ramli (Farhan Zulkifli 90+1’), Ikhsan Fandi
Unused subs: Syazwan Buhari (GK), Zharfan Rohaizad (GK), Raoul Suhaimi, Amirul Adli, Lionel Tan, Daniel Goh, Joshua Pereira
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