SEA Games: Singapore proves no match for Myanmar in opening football game
REPORTING FROM KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA
Singapore fell to a 2-0 defeat to Myanmar in the opening Group A match of the SEA Games football tournament at the Selayang Stadium on Monday (14 August).
A brace from Aung Thu was enough to defeat the Lions, who were outplayed the entire game except for a 15-minute spell in the second half.
Singapore coach Richard Tardy had called Myanmar the favourites in the lead-up to the game, and it proved to be the case.
Myanmar signalled their intentions in the game right from the get-go, as they continually laid siege on the Singapore goal.
Two great saves by Singapore goalkeeper Zharfan Rohaizad in the eighth minute and 23rd minute denied Mg Mg Lwin and Aung Kaung Mann respectively from breaking the deadlock.
At the other side, Hami Syahin’s delivery found Ikhsan, but the header was a tame one and Myanmar keeper Sann Sat Naing managed to save easily.
Myanmar kept on the pressure and in the 34th minute, Amirul Adli had to block Si Thu Aung’s goal-bound volley with his head.
But there was to be no denying the rampant Myanmar, who found the net on the stroke of half time. A deflected shot fell onto the Aung Thu’s path, and the striker needed no further invitation to slot past the hapless Zharfan.
[PHOTOS: Singapore fall 2-0 to Myanmar in opening game]
Singapore could have been down two goals heading into the break, but the bar came to their rescue as Lwin’s header came off the top of the crossbar before bouncing out in the injury time of the first half.
The Young Lions came out roaring in the second half and Ikhsan had decent chances on four occassions, but failed to put them away.
Their inability to get the equaliser saw them punished when a defensive lapse at the back allowed Aung Thu a simple tap in to put Myanmar up by two goals in the 63rd minute.
The goal was a contentious one though, as the throw-in from Nan Wai Minthat which started the whole move looked like a foul-throw.
Ikhsan had another header tipped wide by Sann Sat Naing in the 73rd minute and by then, it was clear that it was not to be Singapore’s day.
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