Photo Credit: foxsportsasia
We will have to see more on the Singaporean side ahead in the Sea Games against their upcoming opponents. Take a look at our latest Singapore football news preview after the interesting fixtures ahead of their journey to SEA Games. Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines – He sneaked the touchline all the time, use gestures, yelling and advising. From time to time, Laos coach Sundram’s shouted voices seemed flowing within the grandstands and at the final whistle, he has the right timing to shout and encourage his squad, this is the reason team Laos hold off Singapore in a 0 – 0 draw at the opening game of 30th SEA Games on Monday. Moorthy’s squad harassed, devastate, strained Ahmad’s Singaporean team within the 90 minutes at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, and their award was a hard-earned point. After the poor beginning in the game, Singapore’s 1st chance came through the winger Faris Ramli, who was crossed from the left, however, manages the shot only over the bar. Nonetheless, encouraged on by Moorthy, he is the former national team head coach, Laos have enough experience on this kind of competition, gearing up and always prepared against much bigger Singaporean players. Sundram stated:
“We expected Singapore to play the long ball to Ikhsan (Fandi) and to the flank to Faris where he is able to beat somebody one on one. We did it in training to make sure that my right-wing doubles (on) him and not give him space and time. And for Ikhsan, we needed to stop the crosses…. And needed to mark him.”
Fandi Ahmad’s team had a tremble within the 30th minute as the Laos squad won a free kick only outside the Singapore box. However, the Young Lions goalkeeper Zharfan Rohaizad guarded it and managed well. As the match opening begins, afterward, Ikhsan was played smart through the midfielder Shah Shahiran, just for Laos Xaysavath’s goalkeeper to contain using his legs. An additional opportunity slipped away from Singapore some minutes after as Ramli cut up his way towards the box and found the striker Irfan, however, the center-back can only strike his shot wide. The Young Lions initiated the 2nd half in lively trend, with midfielder Zulqarnen Suzliman getting out Fandi, however, the striker Raufoss can only direct his shot towards the goalkeeper. The midfielder Suzliman was the upcoming player to try an effort on his own strategy, unfortunately, his low strike was blocked away. The Singaporean squad started to add on the pressure, along with Shah striking narrowly wide of the post with the Laos goalkeeper defeated, afterward, it was Fandi with a header only over. Regardless of the Singapore’s height advantage in the game but the Laos squad standstill and held firm.
Sundram stated: “We worked hard on marking (during) set-plays which I think the boys have done very well.”
As the Lions keep on pushing, Laos still soaking up the pressure given by the opponents and almost provided a sucker punch, and just for the defender Syahrull Sazali to provide an impressive block. Conceivably, the best opportunity in the matchup came within the 78th minute, as the floating cross coming from the defender Tajeli Salamat picks Ikhsan, however, his header strike hit the crossbar and went over.
