The Singapore U16s (red) were chasing the game after conceding an early goal and eventually lost 1-4 to Ajax (blue). (Photo courtesy of FAS)
Jalan Besar Stadium, Sunday, July 2, 2012 — The Singapore U16s went down 1-4 to AFC Ajax U15s in the final of the Canon Lion City Cup in front of a crowd of 3,619.
The Singapore U16s had a good start to the game, and could have gone ahead as early as the second minute. Adam Swandi played a superb through ball to find Azhar Ramli, but the latter lost the ball as he tried to round goalkeeper Stan Van Bladeren.
Ajax then opened the scoring. Vince Dekker crossed in a ball and Ezra Walian met it with a header to make it 1-0.
Ajax extended the lead in the 55th minute when Abdulhak Nouri chipped over Heirul Suhanes after getting a pass from Vaclav Cerny.
It was 3-0 26 minutes later when Ezra Walian scored his second of the night.
Mahathir Azeman pulled one back for Singapore U16s but Ajax substitute El Idrissi scored a fourth in the last minute of the game to wrap up the win.
“We are very very happy. I think the boys did a great achievement today. I think we deserved to win,” said Ajax U15s head coach, Frank Peereboom.
“Singapore defended well and was very dangerous on the counter. However, we took over and won as a result,” added Peereboom.
Dejan Glusevic, head coach of Singapore U16s, said: “It’s a hard way to learn from your mistake. We knew everything about Ajax, and we tried to prevent them from using space and passing. Unfortunately we conceded an easy goal and had to push
forward, which allowed them to punish us.”
Dejan also took the time to praise the Singapore fans for all the support they have given to the boys.
“I can predict a lot of things but I couldn’t predict seeing all these fans coming in day after day, waiting for us before we board the bus and the players ended up singing the song with them. I thank the fans for helping the players to play better with their support,” said Dejan.
The Singapore Under-15s finished sixth in the six-team tournament after going down 0-6 to Porto U15s 6-0 in a match that was played earlier the same day.
Manchester City U15s beat Vasco da Gama 3-1 to finish third.
Final Score
Ajax 4 Singapore U16s 1
Singapore U16s Lineup
Heirul Suhanes(GK), Ehvin Sasidharan, Iqram Rifqi (Noor Faridzuan 65’), Amirul Adli, R Aaravin, Mahathir Azeman, Zulfadhmi Suzliman, Muhelmy Suhaimi (Khairuddin Omar 55’), Rashe Rahman (Faizal Raffi 73’), Adam Swandi (C), Azhar Ramli (Raja Zaki 41’(Ashshiddiq Misban 45’)
Ajax U15s Lineup
Stan Van Bladeren(GK), Noussair Mazraoui (Guido Janssen 41’), Leon Bergsma, Donny Van De Beek, Vince Dekker, Ezra Walian, Abdelhak Nouri (C) (Adham El Idrissi 77’), Vaclav Cerny (Nabi Hakimzadeh 58’), Teun Van Zweeden, Furkan Kurban (Mauro Savastano 73’), Philippe Sandler (Christian Rosario 68’)
5th/6th Playoff Final Score
Singapore U15s 0 Porto U15s 6
Porto U15s Lineup
Gabriel Coelho (GK), Francisco Afonso, Sandro Fonseca, Rui Teixeira (Fernando Fonseca 41’), Ruben Barbosa, Bruno Costa, Leandro Ribeiro (Andre Mesquita 41’), Tiago Couto (C) (Joao Almeida 41’), Luis Mata (Rogerio Silva 41’), Jorge Fernandes, Joao Cardoso
Singapore U15s Lineup
Adib Hakim (GK) (Zephen-Sean Nonis 69’), Rusyaidi Salime, Shahrul Affandy (C), Fadzyl Misawal, Danial Shafiq, Zulqarnaen Suzliman, Hami Syahin (Justin Hui 58’), Jordan Chan, Amer Nazri, Syukri Bashir (Naufal Azman 31’), Royston Tan
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