Set plays do the trick as Lions win

By Paul Green
info@fas.org.sg

Singapore secured a comfortable 3-1 victory in Wednesday night’s friendly international against Indonesia at the National Stadium, two headed goals from Aleksandar Duric and another from Noh Alam Shah enough to see off a somewhat below-par opponent.

All three goals came from set plays, with top-notch delivery from free-kicks for the first two goals and just as good service from a corner kick for the third, all thanks to the dead-ball skills of Shaiful Esah.

Singapore had earned corners early in the game, before the Indonesians needlessly conceded a free-kick, out wide on the right, when a marauding Shahril Ishak had been brought down, with only ten minutes gone.

Shaiful’s crisply-struck free-kick came at an awkward trajectory for the Indonesian defenders to deal with and Duric, closest to goal of a number of attacking players, got his head to the ball with all his customary aplomb, as the keeper remained rooted to his goal line.

Poor marking, however, by the Lions’ defence, three minutes later, saw Indonesia draw level as a swift move from the right, and then into the centre, had home team defenders backing off. The ball was not dealt with and Eka Ramdani was able to sweep the ball low past a helpless Hassan Sunny.

The passing from both teams had to that stage been good, but the marking was poor from Indonesia most of the time and that undid all their good work going forward.

Singapore continued to enjoy most of the possession and their passes seemed to find their men with ease as gaps opened up all over the field.

A close-range shot from Shahril Ishak, soon after the equalising goal had been scored, was well-saved at the base of his post by Indonesia keeper, Markus Harison Rihihina.

The Lions were completely on top as they enjoyed the run of the park, a well-drilled side benefitting from the continuity they had enjoyed in the recently completed tournament in Vietnam, something that was certainly a factor contributing to their overall superiority.

Ridhuan Muhamad was well to the fore down the right flank and after he had been brought down, Shaiful’s next free kick, in the 21st, allowed Alam Shah to head firmly past the keeper, from 10 yards out.

Noh Rahman, captain on this occasion, got in a cross as well, in the 23rd, the ball once again eluding a number of waiting heads in the goalmouth, to keep the score down to 2-1 in favour of the locals.

But the pressure was beginning to tell on some Indonesian defenders who were taking a physical approach to curb the flow of Singapore possession.

After a 30 yard shot from Fahrudin Mustafic had been tipped brilliantly over the bar by Rihihina in the 26th, Alam Shah had a long-range effort that cleared the bar and only a fruitless corner and a wasted free kick was all the Indonesians had to show for their efforts as the half time whistle sounded.

Singapore coach Raddy Avramovic changed keepers at half time, bringing on Lionel Lewis for Hassan, later introducing Indra for Shahril Ishak at the hour mark and Hariss Harun for Fahrudin who had taken a knock in the 55th.

Khairul Amri and Precious also came on for the last 20 minutes or so for Ridhuan and Daniel Bennett.

Alam Shah had been put through on goal in the 50th only to offer a poor shot when one on one, while another effort by the now Indonesia-based striker saw the keeper beat him to the ball at the near post from a fine Ridhuan cross.

Then came goal number three, another first-rate corner from Shaiful that reached Duric in the goalmouth, whose back was to the goal. The ball skimmed off the back of the head of the veteran, whose intent was deliberate enough to fool the keeper yet again.

Some long-range shots from Indonesia’s substitutes, Muhammad Ridwan and Saktiawan Sinaga failed to trouble Lionel, whose handling was steady and secure.

He produced a good save in the 84th to deny Sinaga, who had struck firmly from 25 yards.

Indonesia’s coach, Benny Dolo, expressed his satisfaction with his team’s performance despite the loss.

“We did not have much time to prepare for this game and we were beaten by set pieces for each of their goals,” he observed.

“It was good preparation for our game against Kuwait as they have tall players, too, who can make use of set pieces.“

Avramovic also expressed his satisfaction.

“They were a good opponent and similar to Thailand in style so it was good to play them in this game. We scored three good goals so I have to be happy with that.”

The coach said that Fahrudin had taken a knock, but he did not yet know how bad it was.

The second half was played in heavy rain for the most part and at times the tackles were robust and ill-timed.

Referee Kullabut Nitipum issued only thee cautions, two of them late in the second half, controlling the game with common sense, allowing it to flow as much as possible.

A minute of silence was observed just before that start of the game for the sudden passing of YOG Coach David Sivalingam.The Lions wore black arm bands during the match as a mark of respect for the well loved coach.

The 3-1 win, coming after the success in Vietnam, augurs well for the two coming games against Thailand in Asian Cup qualifiers on Nov 14 and 18.