Singapore U-16 boys roar back with 3 goals in 8 minutes to stun Cambodia

Three goals in eight minutes helped the Singapore Under-16 boys to a 3-0 win over Cambodia in the second match of their Lion City Cup campaign on July 11.

The Cubs controlled proceedings throughout at the Jalan Besar Stadium, twice hitting the bar, before strikes from Aidan Irfan (78th), Farrel Farhan (81st) and Lukyan Tan (85th) sealed their first win of the tournament before 1,004 fans.

Cubs coach Ashraf Ariffin said he was most pleased that his boys, who had lost 2-0 to the Philippines in their opening game, did not give up and finally found the net.

"That is something that we were waiting (more than) 150 minutes for," he said. "I think the boys have shown in these matches that the desire to fight is a non-negotiable.

"We created enough chances, and then when the ball hit the bar twice, we all looked at each other asking, 'Is it another day like this?'.

"But this is where a bit of luck in football is crucial. We created enough chances to be lucky. If we didn't put the ball in the dangerous areas, we won't score.

"This is the resilience that we want to see from the players, that they keep trying. They don't get frustrated, they try again."

Lukyan, who was named Player of the Match, said the opening goal lifted the team's confidence, adding: "Everyone's willing to do more for the team, so the goals just kept coming."

Both sides had struggled to create meaningful opportunities in the opening minutes.

Singapore came close in the 14th minute, when right-back Aaryan Azraqi's cross found Darwisy Fitri Johari at the edge of the box, but the midfielder's first-time effort sailed narrowly over the bar.

The hosts continued to dominate as the half wore on, with Aaryan wreaking havoc down the right flank with his incisive runs.

But it was the visitors who nearly broke the deadlock in the 51st minute, as a stray ball landed at Poy Boty's feet, but Singapore custodian Ilhan Rezal rushed out to save the shot at point-blank range.

Not to be outdone, Singapore almost found the net through Darwisy a minute later.

Spotting Cambodia goalkeeper Mon Vichka off his line, the Singaporean lobbed the ball from 35 metres, but it pinged off the bar, much to his dismay.

The Cubs were denied again eight minutes later. A cross from Aaryan found Ahmad Izzan Rifqi, but the forward's header thundered against the bar.

Singapore were then gifted the opener in the 78th minute as Zamir Nasri's clearance landed in the Cambodian box but was fumbled by Vichka and substitute Aidan slammed the ball into an empty net with his first touch.

The Cubs were then given the opportunity to double the lead as Farrel was brought down in the box.

Vichka parried Farrel's spot kick but the ball went straight back to him to slot it into the opposite corner.

Lukyan then added a third for Singapore in the 85th minute, curling his effort past Vichka's outstretched arms.

It went from bad to worse for Cambodia as defender Sanh Sokchea picked up a second yellow four minutes later.

Cambodia coach Nicolas-Charles Grezault felt his side should not have lost, adding that the game was decided by "details".

He added: "Maybe a lack of control in our emotions mentally, and that we are working on. They are young players, so we are here for development."

Cambodia are bottom of the four-team group after two losses, while Singapore are third on three points.

Hong Kong and the Philippines, who drew 1-1 in the earlier match on July 11, are joint-top on four points each.

Singapore must beat Hong Kong in the final match on July 13 and hope that the Philippines drop points against Cambodia if the hosts are to win the tournament.

Meanwhile, in the U-16 girls' category on July 12, table-toppers South Korea need only a draw in their 5pm match against Hong Kong to be crowned champions, while Singapore will wrap up their campaign against Cambodia at 8pm. All matches are played at the Jalan Besar Stadium.