VIENTIANE (10 July 2011) – Singapore scored a second stunning victory today to install themselves as one of the favourites in the ongoing AFF Under-16 Championship here. They followed up their sensational 5-0 defeat of Vietnam two days ago with a smashing 5-0 win over the Philippines at the National Sports Complex tonight.
With tonight’s win, the Singaporeans, physically advantaged and certainly not short of skill, are in a stronger position at the top of Group B. They now have six points, two clear of Cambodia who forced a draw with Myanmar in an earlier match today. Two days ago, Singapore whipped Vietnam 5-0 which means they have now scored 10 goals in just two games.
“The more important factor is that the players play to their ability,” said Dejan Gluscevic, the chief coach of Singapore.
“The opponent was quite strong in the first half and gave a big problem to enforce our strategy and also our passing game. But the team is developing well and that is good.”
Singapore have two matches remaining against Myanmar (July 14) and Cambodia (July 16) but they have moved a step closer to the semifinals after today’s rout. For the Philippines, today’s result was their second loss after earlier going down 2-1 to Cambodia in their opening game two days ago.
The Lions scored twice in the first half through Mohamad Sadik Mohd Said and R. Aaravin to set the tone for the rest of the game. After the break, Singapore added three more goals through Muhammad Zulfadhmi Suzliman, Adam Swandi and Mahathir Azeman.
To their credit, the Filipinos, playing without their skipper Ryu Nell Fegidero who was suspended after being red-carded in their first game, tried hard to get back into the game but were simply unable to make much headway.
Singapore were clearly in the driver’s seat and maneurvered their way through the Philippines defence. With Adam Swandi leading the attack, the Singaporeans were all over the box trying to find their way through.
And after 22 minutes, and hardly surprising too, Singapore grabbed the lead through tough defender Mohamad Sadik whose powerful strike sailed right in from the left. Joey Adrian De La Sierra tried to react but he could not get to it quickly enough.
It was more bad news for the Filipinos when Singapore surged further ahead towards the end of the half. Off a freekick, Aaravin steered his shot past the wall and into goal.
In the 54th minute, Muhammad Azhar Ramli waltzed his way down the right and cut into the box before setting up Zulfadhmi on the left. He side-stepped a defender and booted Singapore further ahead.
Four minutes later, the defence were caught napping as Adam slipped through and blasted past goalkeeper Joey Adrian. With five minutes to go, Mahathir nodded in a corner kick to seal yet another sizzling win for the Lions.
“The Singapore team is more experienced and we certainly needed the exposure,” added Tomasito Ramos, the chief coach of the Philippines.
“Singapore were more tactically aware and while we tried to defend, I did not expect such a scoreline.”
PHILIPPINES:
Joey Adrian De La Sierra (GK), Jose Biran Langub Romo, Alfred Inaki Nacuna, Phil John Batallones, Nessi Villanueva Ramos, Raymund Santillan, Angelo Gabriel Bahoyan, Alexis Joseph Juan, Skie Doug Carranza (Cpt), Jhoguev Pasilan Ybanez, Raphael Vincent Resuma.
Coach: Tomasito Glenn Hilig Ramos
Goalscorers: Raymund Santillan, Raphael Vincent Resuma. Source
No comments:
Post a Comment