In a gritty, hard-fought encounter, Singapore held bitter rivals Malaysia to a 0-0 draw at the imposing Bukit Jalil National Stadium to seal their spot in the semifinals of the ASEAN Championship. It was far from aesthetically pleasing, but the resolute defensive display from the Lions was ultimately enough to get the job done.
Nervy Affair in Kuala Lumpur
With a semifinal berth on the line, tensions were high from the opening whistle in this Causeway Derby. The fervent home support created an intimidating atmosphere for the Singaporeans, but they stood firm in the face of the Malaysian onslaught.
Time and again, the Lions’ backline held strong, putting bodies on the line to block shots and cut out dangerous crosses. The central defensive pairing of Irfan Fandi and Hariss Harun were immense, winning crucial aerial duels and making last-ditch interventions.
Izwan Comes Up Big
When Malaysia did manage to find a way through, they found Singapore goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud in inspired form. The custodian produced a string of spectacular saves to keep his side level, including a stunning reflex stop to deny Mohamadou Sumareh from point-blank range.
“Izwan was simply unbeatable today. Some of those saves were world-class.”
– Singapore coach Tatsuma Yoshida
Toothless in Attack
For all their defensive resilience, Singapore offered precious little going forward. The midfield struggled to maintain possession and the forward line was largely anonymous. Striker Ikhsan Fandi cut an isolated figure up top, starved of any meaningful service.
On the rare occasions they did venture into the Malaysian half, the final ball was sorely lacking. Promising positions were squandered with overhit crosses and wasteful shots from distance. A bit more composure in the attacking third and Singapore could have snatched a famous victory.
Thailand Await in the Last Four
Nevertheless, the 0-0 stalemate was enough for Singapore to advance as the runners-up in Group A, setting up a mouthwatering semifinal clash with defending champions Thailand. The War Elephants breezed through their group with three wins out of three and will provide a stern test for Yoshida’s men.
- Thailand won the last edition of the ASEAN Championship in 2020
- The Thais are the most successful team in the competition’s history with 6 titles
But for now, Singapore will bask in the glory of this hard-earned result against their fiercest rivals. In a cauldron of hostility, the Lions stood tall, weathered the storm, and emerged with a precious point. On this evidence, write them off at your peril.
| Singapore | 0 |
| Malaysia | 0 |
The semifinal first legs will be played on December 25, with the return fixtures to follow on December 28. Can Singapore’s rearguard action take them all the way to the final? Or will Thailand’s attacking might prove too much to handle? One thing’s for sure – it promises to be a fascinating match-up between two of Southeast Asia’s footballing heavyweights.
