INCHEON — Singapore’s Under-23 footballers kept alive their Asian Games campaign after coming back from 3-1 down to steal a 3-3 draw with Oman last night.

The result is a major boost for the team who had been predicted by many to make an early exit from the tournament.

At the Gwaseong Main Stadium in Incheon, the Singapore side looked down and out when they went in to the half-time break being outplayed and trailing 3-2.

But while the Omani attack was strong, their defence looked fragile under pressure, and that was proved with five minutes left on the clock, when Singapore got their invaluable equaliser. Safuwan Baharudin got his head on the end of a Sahil Suhaimi free-kick to level the score, and dreams of making the knockout stage were still alive.

With Palestine booking a quarter-final spot with a 2-1 win over Tajikistan in the earlier game, Singapore could still advance with a win over Palestine on Sunday and if the Oman vs Tajikistan game ends in a low-scoring draw.

What ever happens from here, Singapore coach Aide Iskandar is proud of the team’s efforts. “We showed a lot of character, especially in the second half, and a lot of self-belief to get the equaliser,” he said.

Asked whether too much money has been poured into football with not good enough results to show for it, Aide said the team will accept criticism as constructive feedback.

“We have passionate fans who expect their team to produce the results, and the boys must use this feedback as motivation to continue fighting harder.

“This is a young team, but we have here the nucleus of a team for the SEA Games next year and this campaign is a good experience and exposure for them to understand the pressures they can expect in future tournaments.” PHILIP GOH in Incheon