SEA Games: S'pore footballers down but not ready to go out in Cambodia clash

HANOI - A day after their 5-0 thumping by Thailand, the mood in the Singapore Under-23 team was sombre and downcast on Tuesday (May 10).

And understandably so, for a 2-2 draw with Laos in their opening game and Monday's loss have put the Young Lions on the brink of a fourth-straight exit at the group stage of the SEA Games.

But the inquest is on hold for now as the team will need to rally together and deliver against Cambodia at the Thien Truong Stadium in Nam Dinh on Wednesday night.

A loss to their Group B opponents and a Malaysia victory over Laos in Thursday's tie will see the Young Lions packing their bags for an early flight home.

Singapore currently sit bottom of the group with just one point, with Cambodia - who opened their campaign with a 4-1 win over Laos - level on points with leaders Thailand despite having played a game less.

Despite the odds against them, head coach Nazri Nasir and captain Zaiful Nizam have vowed that the team will come back stronger.

Nazri who has deemed the tie as a "do-or-die" contest, told The Straits Times : "Everybody is disappointed. Nobody wants that kind of a result. But we need to regroup and focus on the next match.

"As a coach I can motivate but they have to show how much they want it. I told the players that although we are bottom (of the group) we are still in the tournament and anything can happen. If we get a result (against Cambodia), we are back in contention for the semi final and that is the most important thing now."

Nazri who revealed that he will make a few changes to his starting 11, also wants his players to use the criticism from netizens as a form of motivation. He said: "They saw (the reaction on) social media, and I am sure they will want to respond with a good result."

The team's custodian and captain Zaiful Nizam, 34, added: "We need to show the country that we deserve their support. If we give our all, I am sure we can get the result we want."

While the Young Lions will be eager to put up a good showing, it will not be easy against a Cambodian side, led by Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda, who played swashbuckling attacking football in their opening game.

History however, favours Singapore. Since the 1995 edition of the Games, Singapore have won all six encounters against the Cambodians.

Zaiful, one of three overaged players in the U-23 side, said they will give it their all.

He said: "As players we are not taking it easy and we always go out wanting to do our best. We have to encourage each other to put up a good performance. We are not throwing in the towel."