Four key moments behind Lions’ Asian Cup qualification feat
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Ilhan Fandi (left) after scoring the winner in the comeback 2-1 win over Hong Kong at the Kai Tak Stadium on Nov 18, as older brother Ikhsan joins the celebrations.
PHOTO: FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE
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Good Luck – Bangladesh 1 S’pore 2 (June 10)
With goals from Song Ui-young and Ikhsan Fandi, the Lions looked to be in cruise control after an hour in the intimidating sell-out crowd at Dhaka’s National Stadium.
But they suddenly looked nervy and devoid of quality after Rakib Hossain’s soft shot squirmed past Izwan Mahbud in the 67th minute and were fortunate to escape with maximum points after Tariq Kazi’s 102nd-minute effort came off the bar.
Good Call – Gavin Lee takes over as interim Lions coach (June 24)
Tsutomu Ogura unexpectedly steps down due to personal reasons
The Japanese was widely acknowledged to have instilled in the Lions a higher-level of professionalism, desire and courage to take the game to even higher-ranked opponents, and his assistant Gavin Lee’s appointment as interim Lions head coach ensured a smooth transition as the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) searched for a full-time replacement.
Initially thought to lead the team only until the October window, the FAS stuck with Lee
Good Response – India 1 S’pore 2 (Oct 14)
After dropping another two points at home to India following Rahim Ali’s equaliser from an underweighted back pass by Jordan Emaviwe in the 90th minute, things looked to be going from bad to worse in Goa as Lallianzuala Chhangte seized on a loose pass from Safuwan Baharudin to fire into the top corner.
But after weathering the storm, the Lions rallied to win with two well-worked goals from Song Ui-young
Good Temperament – Hong Kong 1 S’pore 2 (Nov 18)
The Lions faced their biggest away crowd as 47,762 fans – including about 2,000 Singapore supporters – thronged Kai Tak Stadium. They were listless in the first half as they trailed the hosts 1-0 and failed to get a shot on target.
Singapore’s Song Ui-young (right) during the comeback 2-1 win over Hong Kong at the Kai Tak Stadium on Nov 18.
PHOTO: FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE
But once again, Singapore showed their mettle and staged a comeback. Ilhan Fandi proved to be an inspired substitution after coming on for Glenn Kweh in the 57th minute to create a 64th-minute equaliser for Shawal Anuar, before grabbing a stunning winner four minutes later.
The 23-year-old limped off with an ankle injury in the 85th minute and his teammates had to withstand huge pressure, but finally they got the job done as they registered their first win over Hong Kong in eight attempts since a 2-0 win in 2012.
