SINGAPORE - A quick-fire brace on the stroke of half-time sparked Singapore to a hard-fought 3-1 win over Cambodia, putting them back on track to qualify for the SEA Games football semi-finals.
With Monday evening's win over the Angkor Warriors, Aide Iskandar's Young Lions are now second in Group A with six points from three matches, three points ahead of Indonesia, who have a superior goal difference and a game in hand.
Safirul Sulaiman's inswinging free-kick from 20 metres broke the deadlock in the clash at Jalan Besar Stadium. A minute later, Irfan Fandi hurdled over the advancing goalkeeper to delightfully set up fellow forward Faris Ramli to head into an empty net.
The hosts had started the must-win match poorly, exchanging passes with no real penetration and resorting to aimless long balls into the box.
Cambodia made them sweat too after substitute Chan Vathanaka ran unmarked into the box to glance home a header in the 55th minute. Singapore's defence tightened up to hold on to the precious three points.
Under-fire striker Sahil Suhaimi wrapped up the game with a low finish past stranded goalkeeper Um Serei Rath in injury time.
Owing to their inferior goal difference, the Young Lions will likely need to beat Indonesia in their final group match on Thursday to book a semi-final spot.
