S’pore must look to future after dismal Asian Cup campaign

SINGAPORE — A chapter of Singapore football ended yesterday after the Lions played their final qualifier for the 2015 Asian Cup in Australia.

The Lions’ campaign ended in defeat after they lost 3-1 to Oman in a largely empty stadium in Muscat. The hosts took the lead in the 18th minute through Amad Al Hosni before Qasim Said doubled it in the 51st minute. Sami Al Hasani made it 3-0 in the 69th minute with a simple tap-in before Shahril Ishak grabbed a consolation for Singapore — the first goal Oman have conceded this qualifying campaign.

But Bernd Stange’s men know their future lies in a brand new stadium back home.

The Sports Hub will play host to the Suzuki Cup later this year and the South-east Asian Games in 2015, and Stange now has the task of transforming the squad into one that can win both competitions in front of their home fans.

That could mean the winding down of Shahril Ishak and Baihakki Khaizan’s international careers once this year comes to a close.

The Lions have been guilty of relying too heavily on Shahril’s creativity in the attacking third, while Baihakki’s occasional on-pitch disciplinary lapses have hurt the team. Goalkeeper Hassan Sunny could be added to the list, but his heroics were the only thing that gave Singapore a fighting chance last game.

The youngsters, too, will have to significantly improve their game if Singapore want to cement their place as South-east Asia’s best and stand a chance of qualifying for the next Asian Cup finals.

With the exception of Faris Ramli on the right flank, no other attacker made any impact on the game. That placed centre-back pairing Safuwan Baharudin and Afiq Yunos in the unenviable position of having to deal with Oman’s pacey attackers on their own, and their inexperience was exposed and exploited.

Despite their flaws, the young Lions still have time on their side. And if they stick to Stange’s philosophy of playing a quick passing game, Singapore football’s future can be a bright one.