The Dorset Boys futsal team from Singapore were unable to repeat their runners-up showing at last year's Standard Chartered Trophy global tournament at Anfield after they were knocked-out in the opening round.

Having beaten 60 futsal teams back home in March to defend their title and earn the right to represent Singapore in Liverpool again, the Dorset Boys had hoped to go one better than their second-placed showing last year, when they lost to Vietnam in the final.

However, two losses in the opening day of the competition on Thursday to the teams from Britain (1-2) and South Korea (0-2) left them an uphill task. And they were unable to advance after a 1-1 draw against Malaysia and a 1-3 defeat byHong Kong.

South Korea were the eventual winners, beating Kenya 3-1 in the final.