SINGAPORE – The Lions have each purpose to really feel optimistic forward of June’s Asian Cup qualifiers after following up Saturday’s 2-1 win over Malaysia with a 2-0 victory over the Philippines on the National Stadium on Tuesday (March 29).
While the Philippines have been in a position to title simply 14 gamers within the squad resulting from optimistic Covid-19 instances, they have been nonetheless a aggressive aspect and Singapore confirmed encouraging indicators of settling properly in a 3-4-1-2 system over each video games, and producing alternative ways to win video games.
Against the Harimau Malaya, they counter-attacked to lethal impact, and towards the Azkals, they relied on set-piece prowess to open the scoring as Safuwan Baharudin powered in a Tenth-minute header – his thirteenth purpose in 105 caps – off a pinpoint nook from Shahdan Sulaiman, who additionally rocked the woodwork with a free-kick on the finish of the primary half.
In the ninetieth minute, substitute Shawal Anuar marked his twentieth cap by sprucing off Hariss Harun’s lofted by means of cross for his second worldwide purpose.
Such attacking choices can be particularly useful towards higher-ranked Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Myanmar within the Asian Cup qualifiers.
It can be price noting that the Philippines, stuffed with foreign-born and foreign-based gamers, had crushed Tajikistan twice to qualify for the 2019 Asian Cup. They additionally had one win and one loss towards Kyrgyzstan in 2016 and 2019 respectively.
Yet, Singapore stood agency and remained disciplined even when the battle obtained bodily, and it was Philippines defender Diego Bardanca who was despatched off within the thirty ninth minute after receiving two yellow playing cards for fouls on Amy Recha and Hariss inside three minutes.
The Lions’ three-man defence additionally did properly to maintain a clear sheet, however additionally they had Hassan Sunny to thank for an additional excellent save in first-half added time to disclaim Enrique Linares.
Late on, there was time for 22-year-old Shah Shahiran to gather his first cap by approaching for Song Ui-young in entrance of 9,183 followers.
Whether Singapore interim coach Nazri Nasir’s blueprint can be retained by his successor continues to be unknown, however from the 2 friendlies, the backbone of goalkeeper Hassan, centre-backs Irfan Fandi, Hariss and Safuwan, midfielders Song and Shahdan, and striker Ikhsan Fandi look to have already cemented their positions.
READ RELATED: Who is Roger Maris Jr Mom? Net Worth 2022 and Parents
Nazri stated: “The guidance from the experienced players really helped the younger players… they responded really well over these two games and I am proud of their performances.”
Credit has to go to Nazri and his backroom employees for getting their techniques proper and the workforce motivated to maintain up the feel-good issue stemming from final 12 months’s Asean Football Federation Suzuki Cup marketing campaign.
But to safe their first-ever Asian Cup qualification – Singapore performed within the 1984 version as hosts – is a completely totally different prospect.
At half-time, rock band AC/DC screamed by means of the loudspeakers: It’s a protracted strategy to the highest.
And it was a reminder of the massive concern that stems from the Lions remaining with out a coach with simply round 70 days to go to their Asian Cup qualifiers, with the appointment to be made solely subsequent month.
The new coach is unlikely to get any official worldwide matches to get to know his gamers higher, and it’s unclear if he’ll keep on the place former coaches Tatsuma Yoshida and Nazri left off or impose his personal concepts, which can clearly take time to get used to.
Safuwan agreed and stated: “Hopefully we are going to know who the brand new coach is quickly. Some of us are in our 30s, and we really feel that is one of the best time (for us to qualify for the Asian Cup).
“These two video games imply quite a bit to us… Back-to-back wins, constructing on the Suzuki Cup, on the Sports Hub, is particular.
“We didn’t win because of luck, but we showed good possession football.”
At least, Singapore have some uncommon momentum and good type to construct on now.
