SINGAPORE - An acrobatic overhead-kick goal by striker Khairul Amri saw Singapore finally get off the mark at this year's Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup, but it proved insufficient as the Lions crashed out of the group stages for the second straight edition.
A 1-2 loss to Indonesia at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Manila on Friday meant the Republic finished last in Group A with one point.
This is the lowest points return by Singapore at the biennial tournament and the first time they have failed to win a single match.
As host of the 2014 edition, Singapore failed to retain their 2012 title and were knocked out by rivals Malaysia in their final group game.
Defending champions Thailand, who beat co-host the Philippines 1-0 in the other game held simultaneously at the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bocaue, topped the standings with three wins and nine points.
Indonesia joined them in the semi-finals with four points with the Philippines third on two points.
Indonesia had started the match brightly and forced Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny into several smart saves in the opening 25 minutes.
But, against the run of play, the Lions took the lead in the 27th min through a set-piece. A long throw from the right was knocked on by midfielder Safuwan Baharudin and Amri, unmarked in the penalty area, was under no pressure as he scored his 10th goal overall at the AFF Cup.
The 31-year-old had a chance to double Singapore's lead within minutes of the restart when he was put through on goal, but he could only shoot straight at the Garudas' stopper Kurnia Meiga Hermsansyah.
That proved costly as midfielder Andik Vermansyah equalised in the 62nd min after connecting with a fierce volley from a cross from the left.
Lions' skipper Hariss Harun almost restored Singapore's lead two minutes later but his header drew a spectacular save from Kurnia.
Indonesia grabbed the winner five minutes from the final whistle after the Lions' defence failed to clear its lines and midfielder Stefano Janjte Lilipaly blasted home the winner.
Thailand will face Group B runners-up in an away first-leg semi-final on Dec 4 while Indonesia are at home against the winners of Group B on Dec 3.
Co-host Myanmar face Malaysia while Vietnam take on already-eliminated Cambodia on Saturday to determine the two semi-finalists from Group B.
