SINGAPORE crashed out of the SEA Games football tournament after losing 0-1 to Indonesia in their final Group A match on Thursday evening.
They needed to beat the visitors at the Jalan Besar Stadium to qualify for Saturday's semi-finals at their expense. But Aide Iskandar's men continued to struggle in front of goal, going the entire first-half without a shot on target.
At the other end, Singapore goalkeeper Syazwan Buhari had to stay sharp to deal with snap-shots and long-range howitzers from their pacy opponents. But he was powerless to deny Evan Dimas' delightful curler barely a minute after the break.
Seconds later, Aide Iskandar's troops could and should have equalised. But Sahil Suhaimi's header from point-blank range went straight at Indonesia custodian Amiruddin Teguh.
Singapore are just the fifth hosts in 28 editions to fail to make the final four. Under Aide, they clinched a bronze in Myanmar two years ago.
Indonesia will face Group B winners and defending champions Thailand in the semi-finals while Myanmar, who topped Group A, square off against Vietnam.