SINGAPORE - If the main aim of the Singapore's international friendly against Solomon Islands was to ensure their new coach Tatsuma Yoshida started his tenure with a win, the Lions got the job done. Barely, with a 4-3 win at the National Stadium on Saturday (June 8).
But if the larger objective is to get the Lions to play possession-based attacking football, then Yoshida has a lot of work to do after celebrating his 45th birthday on Sunday, as he rated the performance "six or seven out of 10".
To be fair, the Japanese was appointed only on May 30 and had just four training sessions with his team.
He said: "It is a good result and a positive start. Our boys played a little nervously, made some mistakes, and we have to improve on some things, but they showed good attitude.
"We couldn't control the play and couldn't stop the opponents' attack in midfield, and we panicked a little. We didn't interchange well and we need to learn to hold our defence first.
"I'm used to seeing players who train well but become nervous in games. These are things we cannot improve on in one or two days but I trust my players and we need to keep going."
Singapore, who started off with a 4-1-4-1 formation, got off to a flyer in front of around 1,500 fans when Faris Ramli headed home Shahdan Sulaiman's cross, following a well-worked move in the fourth minute.
After the bright start, Singapore strangely sat back as both sides lacked ideas and urgency.
Â
Â
Â
Â
Gabriel Quak had a one-on-one goalscoring opportunity in the 33rd minute but took one touch too many before shooting straight at Philip Mango.
But Solomon Islands looked the likelier team to score towards the end of the half and Izwan Mahbud had to be alert to thwart Joses Nawo twice in two minutes.
The Lions did not take heed of the warning signs and were made to pay just three minutes after the restart when Feni Gagame cut in from the right and fired across Izwan into the bottom corner.
It got worse for Singapore when Adam Swandi's poor first touch allowed Andrew Abba to give the visitors the lead with a left-footer in off the post.
Singapore equalised in the 67th minute when Shahdan's free-kick eluded everyone and beat Mango. But the Lions continued to display poor technique in the second half as Zulfahmi Arifin's casual pass in the 75th minute resulted in a fast break for the visitors, and Benjamin Totori beat Safuwan Baharudin and Izwan at the near post to restore the Solomon Islands' lead.
The Lions replied almost instantly, when substitute Khairul Amri threaded Gabriel Quak through to make it 3-3.
Izwan then had to be brave to deny Nawo after Hariss Harun's sloppy backpass in the 78th minute, which resulted in a head injury for the Singapore goalkeeper who was then replaced by Hassan Sunny.
Hariss then made amends in the 85th minute when he slotted in from close range after Mango dropped Quak's corner to ensure the hosts got the win that should help the Lions improve their world ranking of 160 and secure a better seeding for next month's World Cup qualifiers draw.
Solomon Islands coach Wim Rijsbergen said: "We gave a couple of goals away and allowed Singapore back into the game. We have guys who come from very low standards and we have to learn in international football, every mistake can lead to a goal."
Hariss, who grabbed his 10th international goal, was pleased with how his team fought their way back to win, but urged for a better showing against Myanmar on Tuesday.
He said: "It is important we got the win. We did it the hard way, which is not ideal.
"We have to work on controlling the game better. I think it was a case of being comfortable and overconfident after the early goal and we were punished.
"The boys enjoy playing such attacking football but we need to remember our defensive responsibilities too, so tonight was a good lesson we have to learn from."
'We have to improve mentally and have a spirit of sacrifice': Gianluigi Buffon sends warning to PSG team-mates ahead of Manchester United clash Wenger steals the show as he Neymar rejects
The family of Emiliano Sala has paid tribute to the footballer after police confirmed it was his body that was pulled from the wreckage of a missing airplane in the English Channel. The 28-year
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 26, 2019, with the headline 'Two other defiant goalkeepers'. Print Edition | Subscribe.
Two other defiant goalkeepers - theworldnews.net
Jurgen Klopp plays down Liverpool fatigue concerns ahead of season run-in The Merseyside club, who clinched a Champions League semi-final spot after beating Porto on Wednesday, continue their tussle with Manchester City for the top-flight title when they travel to Cardiff City on Sunday.
Klopp plays down Liverpool fatigue concerns ahead of season
A new employee might receive a welcome aboard letter from his immediate manager, the department head, or a colleague. The letter can serve as an introduction to the people on the team, outline the company's expectations for the new employee, and express gratitude for this new team member's expected contributions.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Men's Basketball team will host five summer camps - Little Kids Camp (June 8), Shooting Camp (June 8), Skills Camp (June 10-12), Team Camp (June 14-16), and an Elite Camp (August 9-10) - at the UTRGV Fieldhouse in Edinburg.
Noh Meaning in Urdu - جاپان کا روایتی ڈراما جِس میں رقص اور
Arsenal's German midfielder Mesut Ozil (C) celebrates scoring the opening goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Bournemouth at the Emirates Stadium in London.
Ozil leads five-star Arsenal past Bournemouth - France - RFI
en.rfi.fr/wire/20190227-ozil-leads-five-star-arsenal-past-bournemouth
Ozil leads five-star Arsenal past Bournemouth. The Ozil-Mkhitaryan connection again opened up Bournemouth down Arsenal's right and Mkhitaryan picked out Koscielny, whose shot deflected in off
Football: Madrid plans 'robust' security for all-English Champions League final A police officer walking outside the Wanda Metropolitano stadium where the Champions League final will be held, on
Football: Madrid plans 'robust' security for all-English
SINGAPORE: Eight of the Singapore Premier League's (SPL) locally-based clubs will share four stadiums as part of a new initiative aimed at consolidating resources and improving match-day
Albirex's Yamazaki eyes unbeaten SPL season starting with
So many thoughts, so many emotionsQueen In The Making is meant to be about the journey to "Queen-hood", because while God already sees me as His Queen, in the natural, I have far from "arrived". So many women and girls I've ministered to and mentored tell me all the time, "you're so strong Chandra." or I hear "I wish I had you're strength".
Inside the Making of Queen Elizabeth's Wedding Dress | Time
A new study might reveal why a majority of Christian teens abandon their faith upon high school graduation. Fifty-five percent of American Christians are concerned with modern youth ministry. Youth Groups Driving Christian Teens to Abandon Faith — Charisma News
Youth Group Lessons on Faith | Ministry to Youth
Sure, there have been times when Camille Giardina questioned her decision to play women's college basketball at the Division II level rather than Division I. But not anymore. "My decision has
EU trio tries to quicken drive to more integrated capital
Spurs blasted for lacking hunger, mental strength. Wizard Hazard rescues a point for Blues. China could be dethroned: Ryu. Quah wraps up Pac-12 with second individual gold. Leaving it all on the
Mauricio Pochettino accuses Tottenham of 'arrogance' and
Zinedine Zidane's second spell as coach of Real Madrid got underway on Wednesday as the Frenchman took his first session at the club's training ground in Valdebebas. Zidane leads first session
Zidane leads first session since return to Real Madrid | Sport24
0 comments:
Post a Comment