Heartbreak as Lions crash out of Suzuki Cup
SINGAPORE 1
(Khairul Amri 83)
MALAYSIA 3
(Safee Sali 61, Safiq Rahim 90+3-pen,
Indra Putra Mahayuddin 90+4)
Defending champions Singapore are out of the AFF (Asean Football Federation) Suzuki Cup after a 3-1 loss to Malaysia at the National Stadium on Saturday (Nov 29).
Both sides played out a cagey first half, before Safee Sali put the Tigers ahead in the 61st minute after Hariss Harun's fluffed clearance allowed the Malaysian striker to slam the ball home from an angle.
Stung by the goal, the Lions poured forward in search for an equaliser, and were rewarded in the 83rd minute.
Safuwan Baharudin's free kick was spilled by the Malaysian goalkeeper, and Khairul Amri was on hand to tap home the equaliser.
But the Lions' joy was shortlived, as the referee pointed to the spot after Amri Yahyah went down in the penalty box in the dying stages.
Safiq Rahim then put the spot kick away to put the Malaysians 2-1 up.
Indra Putra put the final nail in the coffin, passing the ball into an empty goal after Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny went up to the opposing penalty box for a corner as the Lions threw caution to the wind.
The riot police were called in after the match, initially to deal with the the boisterous Malaysian fans, and later to handle the situation in front of the tunnel, where irate Singapore fans threw bottles at the referee.
They were upset at the match officials for making several dubious calls against the Lions throughout the match.
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