SINGAPORE, 6TH September 2011: Singapore succumbed to their second consecutive defeat in their 2014 World Cup Brazil (TM) Asian Qualifiers Round Three Group A match against Iraq, 2-0, that was played on 6th September at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
It was end-to-end stuff which saw both sides going for the kill right from the get-go. It was a must win for both teams as the both failed to grab any points from their opening encounters.
The Lions came out fighting despite not having head coach Radojko Avramovic on the bench and as early as the fourth minute, Qiu Li, sent a through pass to defender, Shaiful Esah who drilled a low cross in, but no one was at the end of that cross to slot the ball home. It was a chance gone begging.
A few minutes later, Qiu Li turned provider for Singapore’s second attempt with an almost similar set-up, but Mustafic Fahrudin’s shot was blocked by Iraqi defender, Qusay Muneer.
Iraq almost broke the deadlock when a short corner allowed Number 16, Samal Saeed a crack at goal. His shot was cleared off the line by Singapore’s defender Juma’at Jantan.
The next few minutes of the first half saw some impressive football from both sides. A through ball from the centre of the pitch in the 26th minute released Iraqi striker, Nashat Akram, who was well towards goal. Lions’ defender, Safuwan Baharudin made a last ditch tackle and swept the ball off the striker’s feet.
Safuwan, who was impressive in holding the fort throughout the game, was at his best again a minute later when he blocked a shot that was goal-bound by Nashat.
The first half ended with both teams having a fair share of possession and shots.
The second half saw more action as both teams went in search of a goal. Speedy forward, Fazrul Nawaz came on for Qiu Li and added some pace upfront for Singapore.
Iraq was quick to have a go at Singapore when a shot from captain Younis, forced a save out of keeper, Lionel Lewis.
The deadlock was broken in the 50th minute when a long ball forward by Iraqi defender, Basem Abbas found Nashat in the penalty box. Nashat laid it off for Ala’a Abdulzehra, whose header went beyond the reach of Lionel.
The Lions’ went on to play with some urgency and went all out in search for the equalizer, they almost got it in the 58th minute. A long ball forward by Juma’at found captain Shahril in the penalty area. Shahril then carefully headed and released target man, Aleksandar Duric, but Iraqi keeper, Mohammed Kassid, rushed and got it first.
Mustafic Fahrudin then lashed out a powerful shot from outside the penalty box in the 63rd minute but his attempt was straight to the Iraqi keeper.
Singapore then got a free kick 15 minutes from time. Shaiful Esah, known for his powerful left foot, drilled the ball into the box and it was destined for goal, but the ball was headed out to safety by the Iraqi defence.
Several more attempts at goal by Singapore but they just could not find a way to break down the strong Iraqi defence
Things just got bad to worse for Singapore when they conceded the second goal four minutes from time. A long ball towards the Singapore goal caught the Singapore defence totally off-guard. A freakish bounce caused the ball over Lionel and it floated into goal.
Speaking at the press-conference, Iraqi coach, Zico said, “I am very happy with the win as we have had to play two games in seven days, and I have not had much time with the players. We have very good players and we were given space and time on the ball and we took advantage of it”.
Singapore team manager, Eugene Loo, too shared his thoughts of the game in the press-conference, in place of coach Avramovic and commented, “Despite the loss, the players tried very hard and showed great character. It is tough to lose two consecutive matches but it is not over yet and the players still have the fight in them.
The Lions will play hosts to Jordan on 11th October at the Jalan Besar Stadium, in what seems to be a do or die match.
Final Score: Iraq 2-0 Singapore
Singapore Starting Line-up: Lionel Lewis, Daniel Bennett, Safuwan Baharudin, Shaiful Esah, Juma’at Jantan, Mustafic Fahrudin, Isa Halim (Shahdan Sulaiman 81’), Shahril Ishak(C), Hafiz Rahim (Shi Jiayi 57’), Aleksandar Duric, Qiu Li (Fazrul Nawaz 45’)
Substitutes: Jasper Chan, Afiq Yunos, Delwinder Singh, Sevki Sha’ban, Hamqaamal Shah, Shukor Zailan, Shahdan Sulaiman, Zulfahmi Arifin, Ruzaini Zainal, Ridhuan Barudin, Fazrul Nawaz, Shi Jiayi
Iraq Starting Line-up: Basem Abbas, Qusay Muneer, Nashat Akram (Saad Abdulameer Luaibi 68’), Mustafa Kareem (Ameer Sabah 66’), Younus Mahmood, Mohammed Kassid, Salam Shaker, Ali Erhaima, Smal Saeed, Ala'a Abdulzehra, Muthana Khalid Salih (Fareed Majeed 88’)
Substitutes: Jalal Hassan Hachim, Saad Abdulameer Luaibi, Fareed Majeed, Emad Mohammed, Samer Saeed, Hawar Mohammed, Mustafa Ahmed Abdulameer, Mahdi Kareem, Husam Kadhim, Ameer Sabah, Haider Raad, Amjed Radhi
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