Singapore forward Farhanah Ruhaizat in action, November 2024.
VIENTIANE, 26 NOVEMBER 2024 – What looked like a hard-earned victory for the Lionesses turned into a gut-wrenching 1-1 draw when Timor-Leste snatched a last-minute equaliser, leaving Singapore with a single point from their opening match of the 2024 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Women’s Cup on Tuesday, 26 November.
“When you stay only 1-0 up, anything can happen,” said Lionesses Head Coach Karim Bencherifa during the post-match press conference, and that was exactly what happened at the National Stadium KM16 in the Laotian capital of Vientiane.
Despite holding the lead for much of the game, the Lionesses could not finish the job, and now their hopes of advancing to the semi-finals remain uncertain.
A must-win clash against tournament hosts, Laos, looms on the horizon for Karim and his charges.
The Lionesses lined up against Timor-Leste knowing the stakes were high – they needed a commanding performance in their opening match to secure a foothold in the knockout stages.
Coach Karim was quick to acknowledge that his side did exactly that in the early part of the match, dominating possession and creating chances to score. The team’s aggressive approach paid off with a series of dangerous attacks, but they did not convert any of those opportunities.
Just as the half was winding down, the breakthrough finally arrived in the 42nd minute.
Syazwani Ruzi in action, November 2024.
Defender Syazwani Ruzi delivered a pinpoint cross from the right, finding teammate Farhanah Ruhaizat at the far post. Timing her run perfectly, the forward made up for earlier missed opportunities, muscling past Timor-Leste’s resolute goalkeeper Gorette de Fatima de Deus Andrade de Costa and driving the ball into the net for her second international goal.
The Lionesses headed into the halftime break with a 1-0 lead, breathing a little easier—but only for a moment.
The second half began with renewed energy on both sides of the pitch. Timor-Leste looked more dangerous, creating a couple of chances, but Singapore remained solid despite some defensive scrambles and largely controlled possession and the game.
In the 49th minute, Timor-Leste midfielder Natacia Flora Boavida Pereira threatened with a dangerous run, but Singapore’s goalkeeper Hazel Lim, earning her first senior cap, was quick to react and made a crucial save.
Singapore goalkeeper Hazel Lim earned her first senior cap, November 2024.
The Lionesses recovered and drove forward coming close in the 63rd minute, when defender Cara Chang unleashed a shot from the edge of the box, only to see it sail just over the crossbar.
That second goal seemed within reach but never materialised.
Cara Chang in action, November 2024.
And as the clock ticked down, the tense Lionesses fought hard to maintain their slim lead, but fouls began to pile up, along with pressure.
Five minutes into added time, disaster struck: a controversial foul by Nurhidayu Naszri gifted Timor-Leste a free kick in a dangerous area. The ball was launched into the box, leading to a chaotic scramble. Amid the confusion, Natacia pounced on the loose ball, sliding it past Hazel to equalise, sealing a dramatic 1-1 draw in the dying moments of the match.
The result sees Timor-Leste sitting atop the Group A table with two points Singapore and Laos have one point each, but the Lionesses are second courtesy of having scored a goal at the tournament.
Karim Bencherifa during the post-match press conference, November 2024.
Karim expressed frustration over the late equaliser but acknowledged his team’s effort: “In our good moments, we could not kill the game and finish it off. Perhaps out of nervousness, we gave away a few free kicks, especially the last one that resulted in a goal.
“We are disappointed with the way we conceded.”
Farhanah Ruhaizat during the post-match press conference, November 2024.
Farhanah, named Player of the Match, remained resolute despite the outcome, viewing the game as a stepping stone: “This was an eye-opener. We matched their abilities and capabilities. We showed the same aggression and 1732700763 we can push onwards to the next match.”
While the late equaliser left a bitter taste in the mouth, there were several layers of a bright silver lining.
Hazel Lim’s debut in goal was promising, with Hougang United’s Nasriah Ibrahim also earning her first cap, in the match that saw Geylang International’s Summer Chong make her first start.
Nasriah Ibrahim earned her first senior cap, November 2024.
“Now, what’s left is the Laos game, which becomes all the more important for us to get the win needed to go into the second round, said a resolute Karim.
“Now we will put this behind us and look forward to the next game – everything is still in our hands.”
Watch the full match highlights on our FAS Youtube page here
Singapore: Hazel Lim (GK), Syazwani Ruzi, Putri Syaliza (Nurhidayu Naszri 89′), Natasha Naszri, Rosnani Azman, Qarissa Ramadhani, Cara Chang, Farah Nurzahirah (Raudhah Kamis 84′), Summer Chong (Nasriah Ibrahim 46′), Venetia Lim, Farhanah Ruhaizat
Subs: Elizabeth Tan (GK), Nurul Illyanis (GK), Elyssa Qistina, Yasmine Zaharin, Faith Ho, Chloe Koh, Joie Teo, Hamizah Abdul Talib, Kyra Taylor
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