China beat Singapore 2-1 in a Group A clash in the 2014 World Cup third-round qualifier at high altitude in Kunming on Friday.
But it was the visitors who scored first, as Singapore's Aleksandar Duric took advantage of a defensive slip by the Chinese defence to give the Lions the lead in the 32nd minute.
China missed a penalty in the 56th minute, but converted another spot kick in the 69th minute and three minutes later were on target again to give them a 2-1 advantage.
It was tough for Singapore, with the Chinese playing at home in a stadium which is 1,900 metres above sea level.
The thin air makes it more difficult for players, but Singapore ensured they were not disadvantaged by this.
The Lions went there a week earlier to get acclimatised and that helped them to last the distance.
And kudos to how the visitors played. The Lions did not let the Chinese team, who played in the 2002 World Cup, affect their play.
Veteran player Aleksandar Duric, who at 41 years old still has the stamina and killer instincts, scored in the 32nd minute.
The Chinese, led by their new coach - former Spanish and Real Madrid manager Jose Camacho - finally got their act together late in the match.
To be fair they had a few chances but the post saved Singapore on two occasions.
In the end the Chinese played to their potential, but Singapore can take hope in their gutsy performance in Kunming.
It's not the end yet, as five more matches await the Singapore boys, the next one will be against Iraq at the Jalan Besar Stadium next Tuesday.
The Lions return to Singapore on Saturday and do not have much time to prepare for Tuesday's encounter.
But fans can expect another cracker of a game, especially with the Lions playing at home.
Showing posts with label SINGAPORE. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SINGAPORE. Show all posts
Saturday, 3 September 2011
Singapore and Thailand go down fighting while Indonesea get hammered
Singapore and Thailand almost delivered upsets in their respective games of the third round of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers but in the end, had to be content with identical 2-1 losses to China and Australia respectively.
In matches that were all played away from home, Singapore fell 2-1 to China; Thailand also faltered 2-1 to Australia while Indonesia slumped to a 3-0 loss to Iran.
Veteran striker Aleksandr Duric gave the Lions the best of start on 33rd minute at the Tuodong Sports Centre in Kunming but the hosts fought back with two goals in the second half for the win.
A penalty in the 69th minute off Zheng Zhi put the Chinese on level terms before Yu Hai ensured the full points for the home team four minutes later.
In the meantime, the Thais also had a fabulous start when they carved out the lead off Teerasil Dangda in the 14th minute for them to be 1-0 in front at the half.
But the Aussies, buoyed by their fans at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, upped the tempo in the second half with a Joshua Kennedy’s goal in the 58th minute.
Alex Brosque then completed the win for the homesters with the winner with four minutes remaining on the clock.
Indonesia on the other hand made up for their failure to score in the first half when they held Iran scoreless until after the restart.
Jevad Nekonam was quick to score the lead in the 53rd minute before doubling the lead for Iran with his second goal of the evening on 74 minutes.
Andranik Timotian Samarani then wrapped things up for Iran with the third goal a minute to the end.
In matches that were all played away from home, Singapore fell 2-1 to China; Thailand also faltered 2-1 to Australia while Indonesia slumped to a 3-0 loss to Iran.
Veteran striker Aleksandr Duric gave the Lions the best of start on 33rd minute at the Tuodong Sports Centre in Kunming but the hosts fought back with two goals in the second half for the win.
A penalty in the 69th minute off Zheng Zhi put the Chinese on level terms before Yu Hai ensured the full points for the home team four minutes later.
In the meantime, the Thais also had a fabulous start when they carved out the lead off Teerasil Dangda in the 14th minute for them to be 1-0 in front at the half.
But the Aussies, buoyed by their fans at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, upped the tempo in the second half with a Joshua Kennedy’s goal in the 58th minute.
Alex Brosque then completed the win for the homesters with the winner with four minutes remaining on the clock.
Indonesia on the other hand made up for their failure to score in the first half when they held Iran scoreless until after the restart.
Jevad Nekonam was quick to score the lead in the 53rd minute before doubling the lead for Iran with his second goal of the evening on 74 minutes.
Andranik Timotian Samarani then wrapped things up for Iran with the third goal a minute to the end.
Friday, 2 September 2011
Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia in confident mood for World Cup qualifiers
The three ASEAN teams – Singapore, Thailand and Indonesia – are in a good frame of mind despite having to open their campaign on the road in the third round of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers tomorrow.
Singapore will take on China; Thailand will play Australia while Indonesia will be tested by Iran in their respective matches of the qualifiers where each ASEAN teams will be looking for at least a draw playing away.
“It is the opening game of the third round (of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers) and of course we would like to get a good result where ultimately it will determine our position in the group,” said Radojko Avramovic, the chief coach of Singapore.
“But for me, I would just like the players to play their best and even if we do not get the result we wanted, I will still be satisfied.”
The Singapore-China game will be held at the Tuodong Sports Centre in Kunming, located some 1,900 metres above sea level.
In the meantime, Thailand chief coach Winfriend Schaefer said that his chargers are in a good condition ahead of their clash against Australia at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
“Every player is in perfect condition. They know my tactics. The spirit of the team will help us get a result,” said the German. “At the moment, every player looks confident.”
Indonesian veteran striker Bambang Pamungkas is optimistic that his team can get a ‘good result’ when they open their campaign against Iran.
“Iran are a good team but we are not here to lose. We are here to at least win a point,” added Bambang.
“The best team at the end of the 90 minutes will win. We will work hard for the right result.”
Singapore will take on China; Thailand will play Australia while Indonesia will be tested by Iran in their respective matches of the qualifiers where each ASEAN teams will be looking for at least a draw playing away.
“It is the opening game of the third round (of the 2014 World Cup qualifiers) and of course we would like to get a good result where ultimately it will determine our position in the group,” said Radojko Avramovic, the chief coach of Singapore.
“But for me, I would just like the players to play their best and even if we do not get the result we wanted, I will still be satisfied.”
The Singapore-China game will be held at the Tuodong Sports Centre in Kunming, located some 1,900 metres above sea level.
In the meantime, Thailand chief coach Winfriend Schaefer said that his chargers are in a good condition ahead of their clash against Australia at the Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
“Every player is in perfect condition. They know my tactics. The spirit of the team will help us get a result,” said the German. “At the moment, every player looks confident.”
Indonesian veteran striker Bambang Pamungkas is optimistic that his team can get a ‘good result’ when they open their campaign against Iran.
“Iran are a good team but we are not here to lose. We are here to at least win a point,” added Bambang.
“The best team at the end of the 90 minutes will win. We will work hard for the right result.”
Wednesday, 31 August 2011
Brunei to play Vietnam in U-19 AFF Cup opening match
Vietnam will clash with Brunei in the opener of the Under-19 ASEAN Football Federtion (AFF) championships in Yangoon, Myanmar on September 8.
An AFF release Tuesday said Vietnam will play hosts Myanmar on the 10th, Indonesia on the 12th and Laos on the 16th of September in Group B in the fight for a semifinal berth.
In Group A, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia and the Philippines will compete for the other two berths semifinal berths.
The semifinals will be played on 19th September and the finals on 21st.
Vietnam aims to advance to the last four at least in the tournament. The team has not done too well in the last two years, finishing third and fourth on 2009 and 2010 respectively.
An AFF release Tuesday said Vietnam will play hosts Myanmar on the 10th, Indonesia on the 12th and Laos on the 16th of September in Group B in the fight for a semifinal berth.
In Group A, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia and the Philippines will compete for the other two berths semifinal berths.
The semifinals will be played on 19th September and the finals on 21st.
Vietnam aims to advance to the last four at least in the tournament. The team has not done too well in the last two years, finishing third and fourth on 2009 and 2010 respectively.
Singapore draws with Thailand in friendly
Singapore and Thailand battled to a scoreless in a friendly that was played at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok.
Both teams were using the game as part of their preparation for the third round of the 2014 World Cup qualifying round next month.
“This is not the first time Thailand and Singapore played each other and both countries know each other well. I believe that this game is important for both of us as we prepare for the China game,” said Radojko Avramovic, the chief coach of Singapore.
“It was an exciting and competitive game where both teams had chances. In the first half, we had more opportunities but they had chances in the second-half as well.
“It will be a difficult game against China as they have some quality players but we will go to Kunming and do our best and play our own game.”
Both teams created several chances to score but in the end, had to be content with the end result.
”I wanted to see some new players play. I wanted them to prove if they are good enough for the national team,” said Winfried Schaefer, the Thai coach.
“We had several chances to score but could not come up with goals. This is the main problem for Thailand. We also need to improve out set-piece play. But overall many things improved.”
For the qualifiers, Singapore are in Group A against China, Jordan and Iraq.
Thailand are in Group D against Australia, Saudi Arabia and Oman.
Both teams were using the game as part of their preparation for the third round of the 2014 World Cup qualifying round next month.
“This is not the first time Thailand and Singapore played each other and both countries know each other well. I believe that this game is important for both of us as we prepare for the China game,” said Radojko Avramovic, the chief coach of Singapore.
“It was an exciting and competitive game where both teams had chances. In the first half, we had more opportunities but they had chances in the second-half as well.
“It will be a difficult game against China as they have some quality players but we will go to Kunming and do our best and play our own game.”
Both teams created several chances to score but in the end, had to be content with the end result.
”I wanted to see some new players play. I wanted them to prove if they are good enough for the national team,” said Winfried Schaefer, the Thai coach.
“We had several chances to score but could not come up with goals. This is the main problem for Thailand. We also need to improve out set-piece play. But overall many things improved.”
For the qualifiers, Singapore are in Group A against China, Jordan and Iraq.
Thailand are in Group D against Australia, Saudi Arabia and Oman.
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