Monday, December 03, 2007
Overall report:the young lions managed to hold on all the way to the end despite playing with 10 men from the 25th minute onwards after isa halim was sent off. 2 own goals by the Vietnamese and a beauty from Shahril Ishak ensured that Sg entered half-time with a splendid 3-0 lead. second half kicks off, and Vietnam managed to slot one in despite numerous clearances from the backline and keeper Hassan Sunny. then, a rash tackle in the last minute of the game gifted Vietnam a penalty, which Hassan Sunny couldn't save and end off the game at 3-2.
Quick Breakdown:both sides started the game pretty slowly. i wasn't even watching attentively when the first goal for Singapore came. but anyway, the Young Lions were impressive in the first half. they sat back, absorbed Vietnam's attacks before clamping down on Vietnam's movements. the Vietnamese were marked so tightly, it was almost impossible for them to go forward in search of goal. rather, the pressure only resulted in them conceding 2 own goals. but what a waste. the whole team picked up steam and pace in the dying minutes of the first half, after Shahril Ishak scored the 3rd goal after latching onto a beautiful pass from Khairul Amri, who sidestepped a few defenders to deliver to Shahril.
2nd half exploited some of Singapore's weaknesses. the midfield was rather run-down by the Vietnamese strikers, and despite the best efforts of Tengku Mushadad and Co., it still had the Lions scrambling to back up their defence at the penalty area. with isa halim sent off and the backline struggling with 3 defenders who had their fair shares of tumbles and slight sprains in the first 45 minutes, it was up to Hassan Sunny to save the day and protect Singapore's lead. alas, a goal leaked through despite the best efforts of the defence and he dived the wrong way to save the penalty. at FT, Singapore 3 Vietnam 2.
In Relations to the Match:Reports reached that M'sia thrashed Laos 4-0. so that means SG top the group, and all they have to do is beat M'sia to lift their hopes of making it through to the semifinals of the SEA Games 2007 in Korat, Thailand.
Most Jarring Mistake:the amount of time and space that the Young Lions gave away to Vietnam in the 2nd half, that allowed Vietnam to retaliate and almost wipe off SG's 3-0 half-time lead.
Stand-outs:
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Keeper Hassan Sunny: single-handedly save Singapore's chances of making it through to the semifinals with brilliant saves from deadly Vietnamese shots. moment of heroism came when he stood his ground to protect SG's goalpost from a Vietnam player who was inches away from him despite the ball thumping smack onto his face a second before. result? no Vietnam goal at that time. when the defense was going through their lapses, he was the one who ensured that the backline is still watertight.
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Captain Baihakki Khaizan: probably one of his best outings for the SEA Games. had excellent control of the defense, and ensured that the backline stands solid against Vietnam's attempts despite losing Isa Halim. marshalled the team well. SG owe him for the almost-watertight defense as well as he defied Vietnam's chances time and again.
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The Defensive Backline: sturdy and solid most of the time, reminding of Italian's
catenaccio system of defense. but during lapses, things get rather frenzied around the penalty area.
The Weak Links:-
The Attack: forwards Fazrul Nawaz and Khairul Amri are not in form. very worrying, since we don't have much strikers left. but it was Amri's moment of brilliance that gave rise to Shahril's goal, and he looked as if he's peaked towards the end of the game.
To Look Out For:- Khairul Amri. peaked towards the end of the game. has he found his form?
A Cause For Worry:-
Baihakki Khaizan: needed medical attention around twice. received knocks from Vietnamese players half the time. but most probably it'll be slight.
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Tengku Mushadad: our midfield general was substituted after he was on the ending side of a rash tackle made by a Vietnamese player. limped off the pitch. looked serious.
9:17 pm
