SEA Games: Singapore U-22s outclassed 3-1 by Thais in opening match

PHNOM PENH – After finishing last in the Under-22 Merlion Cup in March, Young Lions coach Philippe Aw had admitted that expectations of reaching the SEA Games semi-finals had to be managed.

If the most optimistic of fans had not quite believed him before, they would have been convinced after watching Singapore being outclassed 3-1 by Thailand in their opening Group B match at Phnom Penh’s Prince Stadium on Sunday.

It was the fourth straight time that the Young Lions had failed to win their opening match at a Games. Only lacklustre finishing from Thailand kept the scoreline respectable.

While the Thais – who have had the luxury of leaving out stars such as Suphanat Mueanta and Sirimongkol Rattanapoom from their squad – had thought of their next move even before the ball reached their feet, the boys in red could barely string a few passes together.

The difference in quality was stark and yet it came as no surprise with the Young Lions’ last victory against the record 16-time SEA Games champions coming during the 2011 Games in Indonesia.

Aw admitted that there is a gulf in standards, saying: “We conceded two goals in the first half and had a few near misses. We had trouble coping with players in the pockets.

“The Thai players have played at an even higher level recently (in the U-23 Doha Cup in March) where they played quality teams like Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

“We must strive to compete at that kind of level because when they come back down to the SEA Games, you can see their quality.

“The understanding between players, the rotation (off the ball), and the give and go that Thailand have is something that we need time to improve on.

“Football is a team sport and the understanding needs time to be built and it requires playing high-level matches... it is something we need to think about when we return home.”

There was no lack of effort on their part, though.

Aw pulled a surprise in his starting line-up by playing Jordan Emaviwe – who had often been a centre-back in the Singapore Premier League before moving to striker this season – at left midfield in a 4-5-1 formation.

Adam Reefdy, normally a right-back, was deployed at left-back and was targeted by the Thais before making way for Nur Adam Abdullah in the 60th minute.

Thailand made early pressure tell as early as the eighth minute when Singapore failed to deal with a cross from the right. A subsequent flick-on at the near post was then turned into goal by Teerasak Poeiphimai.

The Thais should have added another two goals inside the first 30 minutes if not for Singapore custodian Aizil Yazid who pulled off some point-blank saves.

But their second goal soon arrived when Achitpol Keereerom finished off a move inside the box in the 38th minute after neat interplay from the Thais.

Singapore gave themselves a lifeline three minutes later when Nicky Melvin Singh made the most of a howler from Thailand goalkeeper Soponwit Rakyart, who dropped the ball in the box.

Singh’s effort, which was the Young Lions’ first on goal, was helped on by Jakkrapong Sanmahung into the back of the net.

Any hopes of an unlikely comeback dissipated five minutes into the second half, however, when Purachet Thodsanit tucked in a cut-back from right-back Phongsakon Trisat. Having restored their two-goal advantage, the Thais then switched to game-management mode.

Thailand’s coach Issara Sritaro called for improvement from his team before their next match against Malaysia on Saturday.

He said: “I am happy to get the three points but we made mistakes and we let the other team score a goal. We can do better than this and we will go back to ensure we cut out mistakes in the future.”

Singapore’s next match will be on Wednesday against defending champions Vietnam, who defeated Laos 2-0 on Sunday night. Ultimately, it is hard to look beyond a fifth consecutive SEA Games group-stage exit.