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AFF Suzuki Cup: Three reasons Singapore lost when victory seemed possible

TODAY sports reporter Teo Teng Kiat dissects the Lions’ 1-2 loss to Indonesia and analyses the causes for the defeat that sent Singapore out of the group stages of the AFF Suzuki Cup for the second tournament running.

Lions coach V Sundramoorthy and defender Daniel Bennett react after the loss to Indonesia. Photo: Jason Quah/TODAY

Lions coach V Sundramoorthy and defender Daniel Bennett react after the loss to Indonesia. Photo: Jason Quah/TODAY

TODAY sports reporter Teo Teng Kiat dissects the Lions’ 1-2 loss to Indonesia and analyses the causes for the defeat that sent Singapore out of the group stages of the AFF Suzuki Cup for the second tournament running.

PROFLIGATE LIONS

Singapore noticeably adopted a more offensive approach in this game compared to their previous two, but paid the price for failing to finish their chances once again. Khairul Amri’s opening goal, their first in this tournament, was spectacular but they should have scored more. The striker shot straight at goalkeeper Kurnia Meiga when clean through a few minutes after the restart, with the score at 1-0.

Teammates Hariss Harun and Safuwan Baharudin both wasted headers from good positions with the score at 1-1, while the majority of set-pieces were not utilised well. In the end, Indonesia punished them.

CRUCIAL DEFENSIVE LAPSES

The Singapore back-line, sturdy for most of this tournament, switched off at two crucial moments. Andik Vermansyah was allowed to ghost in unmarked to volley in the equaliser, while Boaz Salossa should have been closed down better instead of being allowed to play the ball back for Stefano Lilipaly to blast in the winner. As they did against Thailand, Singapore conceded yet another costly goal late in the game.

FAILURE TO REACT

Singapore coach V. Sundramoorthy made only one change from the team that started against Thailand, bringing in Yasir Hanapi for Juma’at Jantan. The former had a good first half, but started to fade in the second and Sundram arguably failed to react when Indonesia stepped up their efforts to get back into the game.

The opponents made three changes by the 78th minute that helped turn the tide. In contrast, Singapore’s first substitution was in the 76th minute. By the time Shahfiq Ghani and Gabriel Quak came on in the 84th and 91st minutes, it was way too late. There is also the question of why creative playmaker Shahdan Sulaiman and explosive striker Sahil Suhaimi did not get a single minute of playing time throughout.

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