Sea games 2011: Singapore lost 2-0 to host Indonesia

sea-games-football-singapore-indonesia

Neil Vanu (#5) of Singapore argues with the referee after being shown the red card against Indonesia. It was his second yellow card in the game and Singapore had to play with 10 men from the 23rd minute on. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images for SSC)

Jakarta, Friday, November 11, 2010 — 10-man Singapore lost 0-2 to hosts Indonesia in their third Group A match of the South-east Asian (SEA) Games under-23 football tournament.

Singapore’s Nigel Neil Vanu (#5) got a red card in the 23rd minute after he picked up a second yellow for slapping an Indonesian player while they were jostling for space in the penalty box.

The loss means that Singapore must now depend on other teams to qualify for the semi-finals.

Singapore head coach Slobodan Pavkovic was quoted by the Indonesian press as saying that he was hoping for good luck in this match. However, there was none on hand as Singapore conceded the first goal a mere 45 seconds into the game.

A schoolboy mix up saw centre-backs Safuwan Baharudin and Shahir Hamzah both go for the same ball in the air. Both players missed the ball and Indonesia immediately penalised Singapore for the mix up as the ball was slid through to Patrich Wanngai to run clear on goal. Singapore’s goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud was slow coming off his line and Patrich rounded him with ease to slide the ball into an empty net to delight the 30,000-strong partisan crowd.

To make matters worse, Shahir came down on Safuwan’s ankle and the influential defender, who was recalled from the senior squad for the SEA Games, eventually hobbled off in the 39th minute.

Singapore struggled to cope with the speed of the Indonesians but they were not helped by some Indonesians gamesmanship as well. The Indonesian players were playacting disgracefully, going down easily at the slightest touch. The Indonesian goalkeeper, Kumia Meiga, was particularly galling, reacting like someone had robbed his bank account every time a Singapore forward legitimately challenged him for the ball in the box.

Indonesia almost scored a second goal in the 16th minute. A good build up carved Singapore open down the middle but Patrich’s final shot was well saved by Izwan.

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.

“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 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
Kumia 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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