Singapore to finish first in the Malaysia Super League?
Lions fan may still in a victorious mood after winning AFF Suzuki Cup 2012, but the team may already started to work their socks off in a pre-season to prepare for an upcoming 2013 season. As an invitees team, they will continue with the same player from the start of 2012 season without involving in transfer window. With the likes of captain Shahril Ishak, Baihakki Khaizan, and Khairul Amri, they will be keen to continue their tremendous form in the previous season of the Super League, sitting first in the table for much of the season before settling in a second place to the eventual champions Kelantan.
Key Player: Shahril Ishak, Baihakki Khaizan, and Khairul Amri
Young Talented Player: Izwan Mahbud, Madhu Mohana, Hariss Harun and Safuwan Baharudin
2012 season: Finished 2nd in Malaysia Super League
Singapore 3-1 Thailand Singapore bagged two-goal advantage for the second leg in Saturday as Thailand are brushed aside
It is a nice and pleasant weather to play football as the two South-East Asian giants contested at Jalan Besar Stadium for the first leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 Final, yesterday. The two successful sides in the competition have met once in the final of 2007 edition which ended victorious to the Lions.
Singapore didn't have to wait too long as they took an early lead in the 9th minute after Aleksandar Duric was fouled by Piyaphon Buntao in the penalty area. Mustafic Fahrudin have to retake after his first spot-kick was ruled out by the match officials but have no troubled scoring for the second time to give the home side a 1-0 lead. The two sides counter-attacking relentlessly as Thailand are in search of equaliser while Singapore trying to double their lead further but both left frustrated after held by a cautious play as the first half ended.
Thailand started strong in the second half as they pushed for the equaliser. They finally levelled in the 59th minute through a lapse of defending from the Lions as a cross from Teerasil Dangda met Adul Lahsoh's feet to fired the ball past Izwan Mahbud to make it 1-1. But Singapore spoiled Thailand's celebration as they went ahead again just two minutes later through excellent individual skills from Khairul Amri as he smashed the ball past Kawin in the 61st minute to make it 2-1. Thailand have to work hard to find for another equaliser as they look helpless to contain Singapore's domination in midfield. But Thailand was caught on the break as a poor defending from the away side which the ball landed in front of the Singapore defender Baihakki Khaizan as he put the ball easily to the roof of the net to rounded off the victory for the home side.
Singapore will meet Thailand in 22nd December 2012 at Supachalasai Stadium for the second leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2012 Final to determined the tournament eventual winner and the new champion for the South East Asian region.
Khairul Amri solitary goal was enough for The Lions to reach the AFF Suzuki Cup final 2012
Photo Courtesy affsuzukicup.com
It was a nice and pleasant weather to play football today, as three-time champion Singapore faced surprise package Philippines at Jalan Besar Stadium to put an end to the result which ended goalless in the first leg at Manila.
Singapore head coach, Radojko Avramovic named an unchanged side that played a 0-0 draw at Manila while Philippines have made only one change through Jerry Lucena for Jason De Jong.
Both side went strong in the first half, trying to make an early mark in the game. Singapore finally went ahead in 19th minute through Khairul Amri unstoppable strike just outside of the penalty area. It proved to be the match-winner goal for the game as both sides are struggled to make chances turn into goals. Singapore make countless chances but could not add more goals due to their enthusiastic opponent.
Profligacy in front of goal is the reason why Singapore could not make a comfortable lead as much as they would have liked.
Singapore are now levelled on record with Indonesia, having reach the final of the AFF Suzuki Cup for the fourth time in the competition. They hold the record for reaching the final for three times and winning all of them without failed. They are now on course to win the AFF Suzuki Cup for the fourth time should they beat their opponent that they will waiting for, between defending champion Malaysia and three-time champion Thailand in Bangkok tomorrow.
In the similar time when Malaysia gain valuable win against rival Indonesia, Singapore face tournament's minnows, Laos at Shah Alam Stadium and only need a point to secure a spot to semi-final. However, Laos did not make things easier to the three-time champions. A lapse of defending from Singapore gave Khampheng Sayavutthi a chance to score with a weak shot from a close range in the 21st minute to make it a shock 1-0 lead to Laos. Keoviengphet Liththideth made it harder for Singapore when he unleashed a beautiful curling shot past Izwan Mahbud to the top right corner of the net in the 40th minute to make it a comfortable 2-0 lead for the Thim Xad. Singapore however did manage to pull one back through captain Shahril Ishak with a simple shot from close range in 47th minute just before half-time.
Singapore did not waste any time when the second half started as they pushed forward in search for equaliser. Singapore finally found an equaliser through Shahril Ishak once again in 53rd minute when he dribbled easily in the penalty box and fired to the bottom left corner of the net to make it 2-2. Laos looking struggle to contain Singapore's attack as there are number of times their defence looking as vulnerable as ever. The Lions meanwhile are more confident in performance as they create a lot of chances and are close to score more goals. Ten minutes later, Khairul Amri put Singapore in front in the 63th minute when he took an unstoppable free-kick which easily past Laos goalkeeper to make it 3-2. Fazrul Nawaz rounded off Singapore's comeback when he fired the ball past Laos goalkeeper with a diving header in 65th minute to make it 4-2 lead. It was two goals in two minutes from Singapore. Khampheng Sayavutthi put a seemingly dead Laos in a glimmer of hope when they were awarded a penalty in 81st minute and slotted the ball easily past Izwan Mahbud to make it 4-3 but it was all too late for the Thim Xad as Singapore are victorious nonetheless coming to the final whistle as the Lions deserved to claim one of the greatest comeback win in the football history.
Singapore finished the Group B with six points and top of the group after three matches, with two wins against Malaysia and Laos and one lose against Indonesia. As a group winner, Singapore will travel to Manila for the first leg of semi-final, where they will meet tournament's surprise package, Philippines, who finished as a runners-up of Group A in December 8 and a return leg in December 12 at Jalan Besar Stadium.
Singapore have an excellent chance to go to the final for the fourth time in the history of competition if they beat Philippines in the semi-final. Singapore is one of the most successful side in the history of AFF Suzuki Cup competition, having previously won the title three times in 1998, 2005 and 2007 edition.
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