Fierce rivals Singapore and Malaysia locked horns at a floodlit Sengkang Stadium with the home side in need of a result after Myanmar’s win earlier against Thailand.
The game was living up to its billing, with underdogs Singapore taking the lead in the 10th min after a well worked penalty corner , a shot driven powerfully home by number 19 Sabri.
The Malaysians replied with good consistent pressure , Singapore were 2 men down after earning two cards in quick succession and did well to hang on.
Singapore then had the chance to double their lead, somewhat against the run of play. A breathtaking pass from Jaspal Singh reached Faris who was through on goal but a great last ditch tackle from Farizal denied the frontman.
The consistent pressure from Malaysia finally paid off with 10 minutes to go in the first after a well worked move saw the ball in the back of the net, Rohul applying the finishing touch .
The stroke of half-time saw a bizarre moment in which Malaysia doubled their lead, catching the Singapore team off guard when they were seemingly waiting for a referee’s call , the ball was slid home by Aiman.
The 2nd half started with a chance for Malaysia, a penalty corner that was saved on the line but turned in on the subsequent rebound by Hansani, Singapore under pressure from the get go. 3-1.
The game then became end to end with attacks for both sides with Singapore having the best of chance of all, a well worked penalty corner that saw Ashriq’s shot bring the best out of Malaysian keeper Ridzwan.
With 15 minutes to go, against the run of play, a well worked penalty corner brought Malaysia’s fourth goal of the match, with Aminudin’s shot too powerful for Singapore goalkeeper Suresh.
Malaysia then saw out the game with ease despite Singapore winning two late penalty corners, a spirited home side in the end was no match for the quality of Malaysia.
