Heartache as Singapore lose to Tajikistan 0-1
GROUP C
SINGAPORE 0
TAJIKISTAN 1
(Siyovush Asrorov 87)
Baihakki Khaizan stood still, arms akimbo, staring at the ground, while behind him, a prostrate Hassan Sunny held his head in his hands.
The Singapore Under-23s conceded a late goal and fell 1-0 to Tajikistan in the opening Group C fixture of the Asian Games football tournament here yesterday, in a match that hurt more than just the Republic's chances of surviving the group.
"It's heartbreaking, really. We worked so hard in the game, created a few clear-cut chances, and it was clear that we were the better side for most of the game," said a dejected Baihakki, who along with Hassan and fellow defender Afiq Yunos, is one of the three overaged players allowed for every team in the competition.
"A lot of times, we go into these kind of games not given much of a chance to win, but today we showed that we can take on teams like Tajikistan, and it's important that the boys continue to believe that we can beat teams like these."
Shahfiq Ghani and Faris Ramli had a couple of chances to score, with defensive midfielder Anumanthan Mohan Kumar also chipping in with a few long-range attempts, and Singapore's collective profligacy in front of goal was punished in the end.
The Singapore defence went to sleep in the 87th minute, leaving Siyovush Asrorov wide open in the box, and the defender took advantage of the lapse in concentration to plant his header firmly into the far corner of Hassan's goal.
Substitute Iqbal Hussain, who had been thrown on a minute earlier, seemed to be at fault for the goal when he allowed Asrorov to run free, but speaking after the game, coach Aide Iskandar, said: "The last thing we want to do now is to point fingers at individuals.
"I feel for the boys, they gave everything and I thought we deserved at least a draw. I told the players that I'm proud of them, how they were organised, disciplined and difficult to break down."
"But they are demoralised, and that's the challenge now, to get them to lift their heads up again - that's my responsibility," added the former Singapore captain.
The mood in the camp was sombre, with little conversation as the team sat and watched the first half of the Oman-Palestine fixture that was played later at the same venue.
But no one is giving up on the possibility of finishing in the top two and qualifying for the last 16.
POSITIVES
"Let's look at the positives, we showed that we have the capability to control a team like Tajikistan and create clear chances," said defender Safuwan Baharudin.
"We need a good result against Oman, and if we do, we stand a chance to make it."
While Aide rued the lapse of concentration that led to the goal, like Safuwan he was pleased with much of what he saw, including the performances of two of his younger players - Anumanthan, 20, and Amirul Adli, 18.
"It was pleasing to see such a young boy (like Amirul) do well and cover as much ground as he did. And Anumanthan did very well, too," he said.
Aide will need similar performances on Wednesday, when Singapore face an Oman side that fell 2-0 to Palestine yesterday.
Like Singapore, the Omanis will be battling to stay alive in the tourney, and Aide knows it will not be easy.
"It could be a mountain to climb because Oman are a good side," he said.
"But this is not over yet."
Singapore line-up:
Hassan Sunny, Al Qaasimy Rahman, Baihakki Khaizan, Safuwan Baharudin, Afiq Yunos, Anumanthan Mohan Kumar, Zulfahmi Arifin (Amirul Adli, 24th), Nazrul Nazari (Shameer Aziq, 77th), Shahfiq Ghani (Iqbal Hussain 86th), Faris Ramli, Sahil Suhaimi
Yesterday's other Group C result:
- Oman 0 Palestine 2
"A lot of times, we go into these kind of games not given much of a chance to win, but today we showed that we can take on teams like Tajikistan, and it's important that the boys continue to believe that we can beat teams like these."
- Singapore defender Baihakki Khaizan
Anumanthan hardly out of place
"I want to be successful with Singapore, and, of course, to play overseas." - Anumanthan Mohan Kumar (above, in red)
He was strong in the tackle, quick to get back when possession was conceded, unafraid to shoot from distance and even displayed a willingness to put his body on the line.
While the Singapore Under-23s ended the match with an agonising 1-0 loss that leaves them with a mountain to climb if they want to make the last 16, the performance of Anumanthan Mohan Kumar was one of the positives from the game against Tajikistan yesterday.
Anumanthan put in a solid shift in the middle of the park at the Ansan Wa Stadium in the opening Group C match of the Asian Games football tourney.
Singapore may just have a midfield general in the making, even though the 20-year-old did make a few mistakes and eventually faded in the second half.
He clearly isn't the finished product, yet.
Anumanthan knows this, and adopts an attitude of "learn and improve", a phrase he repeated seven times in the space of five minutes, when he talked to The New Paper after the game.
"I could've done better, in terms of supporting the attack when we've got the ball, and minimising touches in my own half," he said.
"I want to be in the national team starting 11 on a regular basis, and I know have to work hard to get there. I'm trying to learn as much as I can from senior players like Baihakki Khaizan and Hariss Harun, when I play with them."
His attitude towards improving his game is something that endears Anumanthan to his teammates.
"I think he can go far. He has a physical presence that we need in midfield and he does a job like what Hariss does for us," said Baihakki.
"He did pretty well but I think with more games under his belt, he'll get more confident and composed. And that will be good for us."
HEARTBROKEN
The central midfielder was heartbroken by the defeat yesterday, but like the rest of the team, insists it is not over.
And he added: "This tournament is a good opportunity for us to take on the big boys of Asia and show what we are capable of.
"As for me, I want to do well and try to get into the senior side for the Suzuki Cup at the end of the year, as I build for the South-east Asia Games at home next year."
Anumanthan has dreams of playing abroad and it is that thought that drives him.
"I want to be successful with Singapore and, of course, to play overseas," he said.
"And to get there, I have to learn and improve."
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