Singapore v Chinese Taipei 3-2

SINGAPORE, 18 July 2011: Singapore defeated Chinese-Taipei 3-2 at the Jalan Besar Stadium just days before they march back onto the very same pitch for the 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP BRAZIL™ ASIAN QUALIFIERS ROUND TWO Match against Malaysia.

The game got off to a slow start and steadily picked up pace with both teams looking to break the deadlock. Singapore decided to get matters going through Aleksandar Duric in the 17th minute. Left with just a simple tap in after receiving a low cross from Hariss Harun, he made no mistake to give his side an early lead.

Chinese-Taipei tried to get the game back on level terms but were unable to break down the Singapore defensive wall. The first-half came to an end with the score, Singapore 1-0 Chinese-Taipei.

Coming back on for the second half, Chinese-Taipei made their presence felt with a quick goal to bring the game back on level terms through No.9, Lo Chih An. The Lions responded with a Duric goal in the 54th minute which got the fans fired up and their cheers grew louder.

Both sides pushed ahead for the next goal and substitute Hiang Shih Lu put his team back into contention in the 62nd minute. Sensing the need for more attacking options upfront, Coach Raddy brought on Fazrul Nawaz and Qiu Li in the 65th minute. The tactical switch proved to be effective as the Lions wrestled back the lead with forward Fazrul Nawaz breaking away from his defenders to slot the ball home for Singapore’s 3rd and final goal of the match. The game ended with the score board reading Singapore 3-2 Chinese-Taipei.

Singapore Coach Raddy, was satisfied with the result as he spoke about his team’s performance at the post-match press conference when he said: “There are some points we need to improve on and also some positive points to take note of. We created a lot of chances, passing most of the time.” He went on to say “I am however happy with the performance of the team and this game allowed the players to learn from their mistakes as it is better to make mistakes now than in the match against Malaysia.”

“We kept passing the ball and had more possession. We did make mistakes today and we will learn from it and make changes to our game.” said Captain Shahril Ishak.

Goal scorer Aleksandar Duric was spot on when he said “We started with a new system of play from the match against Maldives and we are creating more chances. It was a good game and my team mates did well.”

Having taken charge of the team only three days ago, Coach Tee Tae Ho said “It was tough but I think we did ok. Singapore forwards have more experience and are organized.”

When asked about the difference between Singapore’s style of play and the Malaysians, “Singapore has more stability and matured while Malaysia is abit unstable and not matured.”

Singapore 3-2 Chinese-Taipei

Goalscorers: Singapore No.9 – Aleksandar Duric (17th, 54th minute), No.10 - Fazrul Nawaz (82nd minute) Chinese-Taipei – No.9 - Lo Chih An (47th minute), No.27 – Hiang Shih Lu (62nd minute)

Singapore: Izwan Mahbud, Safuwan Bhahrudin, Shi Jiayi, Shahdan Sulaiman, Aleksandar Duric (Fazrul Nawaz 65), Hariss Harun, Mustafic Faharudin (Qiu Li 65), Daniel Bennett, Shahril Ishak (C), Ismail Yunos (Shaiful Esah 69), Juma'at Jantan

Chinese-Taipei: Chang Yung Hsien, Lin Cheng Yi (Lee Pin Hsien 88), Chan Yu Lin (C), Chang Han (Wu Chun Ching 77), Lo Chih An, Loo Chih En (Chen Po Hao 86), Chan Che Yuan (Chen Hao Wei 45), Liu Chi Chao (Hiang Shih Lu 45), Chan Po Liang, Wei Sheng Hsin, Lee Meng Chian

SOURCE - Official FAS Release