The Singapore national Under-22 football team ushered in the Year of the Goat in a most inauspicious way by getting a 6-1 thrashing at the hands of Syria's Under-23s.

The friendly, played on Chinese New Year's Eve at Jalan Besar Stadium, saw the visitors needing just four minutes to open the floodgates through Hael Albadri.

Further strikes from Mahmood Albaher (24th minute), Abdul Mannan Ibrahim (34th and 62nd) and Adnan Altaki (39th and 75th) put the Syrians firmly in control over Richard Bok's youngsters.

Singapore finally scored a consolation goal in the 88th minute through defender Tajeli Selamat.

The national Under-23s, coached by former Lions captain Aide Iskandar, will play the Syrian Under-23s at the same venue on Saturday as part of the team's SEA Games preparations.