The Singapore Under-20 Women’s Team kept Kyrgyz Republic goalkeeper Aidan Kubanychbekova on her toes throughout the second Group B match of their AFC Under-20 Women’s Asian Cup qualifying campaign, relentlessly peppering the opposition’s goal with shots.
Just as the stifling heat offered little relief for the players, Singapore gave their opponents no breathing space as they pressed relentlessly and had a series of chances at goal.
Despite the mercury soaring to a blazing 35 degrees, head coach Fazrul Nawaz was proud of how well the players acquitted themselves in the punishing heat, turning in a workmanlike performance in the narrow 1-0 defeat.
“They really gave their best, even though the weather was quite testing for them. They really showed their tenacity, their desire. They really wanted it. And just one moment of lapse in concentration, and then we conceded out of nothing. It happens in football,” he said.
Midfielder Kyra Taylor echoed her coach’s sentiments.
“I think the team played really well today. We were definitely connected, and we learned from the last game, she said. “Having only been down 1-0 and having as many chances as we did, I think we got really unlucky not to score. “
That match-deciding goal came in the 25th minute. Kyrgyz defender Kostiuk Karina launched a long punt to Alina Gaparova, who rounded Chantale Lamasan in the Singapore goal before slotting home.
The goal that came against the run of play fueled the Singapore women, who surged forward, throwing everything at the Kyrgyz defence.
But that goal proved elusive.
“In order to win, we need to create chances and score. And as long as we continue to do this and keep going, we will eventually get it. And when we get it, I think the momentum will come to us,” Fazrul said of his team’s unwavering efforts to score.
“One thing I liked from today’s performance was our courage to play out from the back. There were some moments we weren’t as calm, but after we sorted that out, we were calm and we were getting out of the opponents’ press,” he added.
“That was one of the positives that I really like to take away from this game.”
Captain Sarah Zu’rishqa dictated the tempo in midfield, forcing turnovers and spraying passes to the forward line.
The Lion City Sailors midfielder had an opportunity of her own, but her 23rd minute freekick flashed over the bar.
In the 35th minute, forward Mulan Ayliffe capitalised on a poor backpass by Kostiuk and teed up Cara Chang, whose shot skimmed just wide of the far post.
Minutes later, Mulan skilfully shimmied past a Kyrgyz defender on the left and fired a shot just over the bar.
In first half stoppage time, Sarah had an acrobatic effort from a corner parried by the opposition goalkeeper.
Despite the referee calling for multiple cooling breaks in the energy-sapping encounter, Singapore continued driving forward to find the first goal of their campaign.
Another golden opportunity went begging in the 55th minute when Cara dragged a close-range volley just wide of the post.
After the hour mark, Sarah came close with a long-range effort just missing the target, while another Mulan freekick whistled over the bar just minutes later.
Singapore continued to keep the Kyrgyz defence busy but just could not find the back of the net on this occasion.
“We managed to play the football that we want to play, and it showed in the game,” said a dejected Fazrul.
“It’s just that luck was not on our side today.”
“I don’t want our players to feel disappointed. I want them to know that they can compete at this level, and after two tough games, they have shown that they can really compete at this level.”
With a final match against Hong Kong, China looming, Kyra remained positive about her side’s chances.
“This game we played football, we were able to build up and we had a lot of combinations. We need to practice our finishing and just keep it up for the next game,” she reflected.
Singapore are set to play Hong Kong on Sunday, 10 August. Kick off is at 5pm (SGT).
