Despite being 59 rungs behind Saudi Arabia, who are ranked 62nd in the world, they matched the visitors in possession and goal attempts.

But two lapses in concentration by Lionel Lewis and Daniel Bennett cost them the game.

A stoppage-time header by substitute Ashrin Shariff narrowed the deficit.

The loss aside, Singapore coach Raddy Avramovic can give his boys a pat for a much-improved display compared to Sunday's 2-1 win over North Korea.

The Lions settled down quickly and almost opened the scoring after seven minutes, but lone striker Khairul Amri's through pass to Mustafic was over-hit.

Midfielders Shahril Ishak and Mustafic Fahrudin were quick to close down on the Saudis, allowing wingers Muhammad Ridhuan and Indra Sahdan Daud to move forward and support Amri.

The Saudis, who have played in every World Cup since 1994 and are preparing for the Asian Cup, fielded virtually their entire first team.

Their coach, Helio Pinto, admitted he was 'surprised' by Singapore's quality, and praised their 'good tactics, good lateral runs and speedy players'.

Despite the Lions' pressure in the first 25 minutes, the Saudis did not panic.

They scored their first goal a minute later. Lewis fumbled with Abdulrahman Alqahtani's free kick and the ball rolled across the line.

Lewis appeared to have been fouled by Osama Hawsawi, but the Lions' protest to Indonesian referee Hidayat Jajat, along with jeers from the 3,988 crowd, fell on deaf ears.

Shaken, they conceded another goal eight minutes later. It began with Bennett's stray pass, which allowed the Saudis to counter-attack.

Taiseer Al Jassam broke through to double his team's advantage. The striker was sent for an early shower five minutes after the interval following a second yellow card.

Singapore also kept the Saudis on their toes with their shoot-on-sight policy. Amri, Mustafic and substitute Shi Jiayi all tried their luck, but failed.

Still, they should have exploited their one-man advantage in the second half following Taiseer's exit.

All eyes will now be on the Lions for Saturday's friendly against Australia.

The game is part of the National Stadium's closing ceremony celebrations.

It would be fitting if the Lions could put in another commendable performance and draw out the Kallang Roar one last time on Saturday.