S'pore beats Cambodia in Tiger Cup tie
S'pore beats Cambodia in Tiger Cup tie
SONGKHLA, Thailand (AFP): Singapore's attacking midfielder Mohamed Rafi Mohamed Ali saved face for the defending champion as it scraped to a 1-0 victory over Cambodia in its opening tie of the Tiger Cup at the Tinsulanon Stadium on Sunday evening.
The 28-year-old sent in a curling freekick 20-meters out from the left into the far right top of goal, with Cambodia goalkeeper Soun Dara well beaten.
It was a goal that Singapore desperately needed as it had practically pitched camped in the Cambodian half, from the start.
The Singaporeans were all over the Cambodians whose defense was overworked but had managed to keep Singapore's strikers at bay.
When Cambodia had possession, it failed to string enough passes needed to convert and seemed overawed by the occassion with Singapore breaking the deadlock in the 25th minute.
Three minutes later Singapore nearly made it 2-0 but captain Mohamed Nazri Nasir's header hit the bar.
Singapore, despite incessant attacks, had to settle for a 1-0 lead at the half-time whistle.
Cambodia was a bit more settled in the second half and in the 47th minute captain Chudn Maline sent a powerful shot from just outside the penalty area but it was safely collected by Singapore goalkeeper Mohamed Rezal Hassan.
It was the first time Hassan was forced to make a save.
Singapore came back strongly with substitute Mohamed Noor Mohamed Ali seeing his header go wide in the 63rd minute while Nazri's shot was blocked by the diving Cambodian goalkeeper in the 76th minute.
Cambodia did manage to trouble the Singapore defense but its shooting was pathetic.
Singapore had a golden opportunity to increase the lead in the 84th minute but Ali's connection from a low cross from the right sailed over the bar at close range.
Cambodia came dangerously close to equalizing in the last few minutes but Singapore managed to hold on to a slim victory.
Vietnam's firepower came to nought against the Malaysians who defended stoically for a well-earned point against the favourite in their opening match.
The Vietnamese, runners-up in the last tournament two years ago, saw numerous attempts at goal foiled by goalkeeper Kamarulzaman Hassan and the defenders.
It was indeed a frustrating night for Vietnam skipper Le Huynh Duc and his men as they sought to start the tournament on a winning note.
However the Malaysians, who were completely dominated in the first half but played much better in the second, were playing for a draw and that was exactly what they got.