SEA Games Football: 10-man Singapore go down 0-2 to Indonesia

With Neil Vanu sent off in the 23rd minute, it was a matter of time before Indonesia got their second in the 37th minute. Titus Bonai (#25) got the ball on the left and cut inside past two players before sending a shot from just inside the penalty box that beat a sprawling Izwan.

By this time, Pavkovic had replaced both his starting central defenders as he sought to shore up his shell-shocked team. Half time could not come soon enough for Singapore.

The odd thing was, Singapore played their best football of the whole tournament thus far in the second half even though they were down to 10 men. Perhaps released from the expectation of actually winning the game, the boys in red took the game to the Indonesians who also slowed down the pace in match that started at 2pm.

Whereas the Indonesians gave them no time to think in the first half, our boys now had space in the middle of the park and Yasir Hanapi in particular shone for Singapore on the right wing.

Yasir turned Dutch-born left back Diego Michiels in the 62nd minute to run through on goal. Spotting a gap, Yasir tried to squeeze the ball between the goalie and his near post but hit the side netting instead.

Indonesia were still a threat however, with Izwan saving well from Patrich’s direct free kick from the edge of the penalty box.

Then Khairul Nizam had a good chance to drive into the penalty box but the forward’s discomfort with using his left foot saw him check back onto his right. His effort on goal, though on target, was covered all the way by the goalie.

Yasir then created another chance in the 75th minute. The winger got to the byeline but could not cross accurately to find an open Nizam in the box.

Then came an excellent chance for Singapore to get a precious goal that may prove crucial in the final reckoning. Again, Yasir was the creator, crossing into the box, only to see substitute Zulfhami blaze an unhindered shot way off target. The television cameras showed an understandably frustrated head coach Pavkovic after that miss.

Luck continued to desert the Singapore boys in the 87th minute when Hariss Harun saw his direct free kick hit the post.

Nizam then managed a final direct shot that was saved in the dying seconds, a last effort in a pleasing second half for Singapore. However, the overall result is what counts and Singapore now have to beat Thailand in their final game and hope other results go their way.

“We are disappointed with the result despite having had more possession in the 2nd half,” said Pavkovic. “Also having played at 2.00pm under such hot conditions and two consecutive matches in 4 days, concentration levels of the player were affected which contributed to the early goal.”

“In the second half, the boys showed character, fighting spirit, teamwork and a winning mentality. Even though they had 10 men, they created many chances and opportunities to score,” said Pavkovic.

Indonesian head coach Rahmad Darmawan dismissed any suggestion that 2pm start time was to their advantage.

“Some may think that playing in bad weather, 2pm, is an advantage for us. That is not true. It is a problem for Indonesia too,” he said.

In another Group A match, Thailand thrashed Cambodia 4-0. Singapore will play Thailand on November 17th in their final group match.

In a Group B match today, Philippines beat Laos 3-2.

Singapore U-23 Starting Lineup
Izwan Mahbud, Safuwan Baharudin, Afiq Yunos, Navin Neil Vanu, Hafiz Sujad, Shahdan Sulaiman, Irwan Shah, Yasir Hanapi, Hariss Harun (C), Shahir Hamzah, Khairul Nizam

Indonesia U-23 Starting Lineup
Kurnia Meiga, Seftia Hadi, Mahardiga Lasut, Egi Melgiansyah (C), Octovianus Maniani, Hasim Kipuw, Ferdinand Sinaga, Diego Michiels, Titus Bonai, Patrich Wanggai, Abdul Rahman

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SEA Games 2011 Football — Group A Fixtures

Day/Date	Team A		Team B		Time
Mon, Nov 7	Singapore	0	Malaysia	0	5pm
Mon, Nov 7	Indonesia	6	Cambodia	0	8pm
Wed, Nov 9	Malaysia	2	Thailand	1	5pm
Wed, Nov 9	Cambodia	1	Singapore	2	8pm
Fri, Nov 11	Singapore	0	Indonesia	2	3pm
Fri, Nov 11	Thailand	4	Cambodia	0	6pm
Sun, Nov 13	Malaysia	4	Cambodia	1	5pm
Sun, Nov 13	Indonesia	3	Thailand	1	8pm
Thu, Nov 17	Thailand	0	Singapore	2	5pm
Thu, Nov 17	Indonesia	0	Malaysia	1	8pm

SEA Games 2011 Football — Group A Table

Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	PTS
Malaysia	4	3	1	0	7	2	10
Indonesia	4	3	0	1	11	2	9
Singapore	4	2	1	1	4	3	7
Thailand	4	1	0	3	6	7	3
Cambodia	4	0	0	4	2	6	0

Go to next page for Group B Table and Fixtures