Singapore On Course for first ASEAN Football Federation Tournament Semi-Final in Nine Years
Image via vnexpress.net
9 December 2021, Singapore - Host nation Singapore stay on course for semi-final qualification after defeating the Philippines 2-1 in this evening's AFF Suzuki Cup Group A Fixture.
The Lions followed up on their opening day win against Myanmar with a hard fought 3 points against the Azkals to maintain their perfect record and stay top of the Group.
Following a goalless first half, quickfire second half goals from captain Hariss Harun and Forward Faris Ramli just two minutes apart proved enough, even though the Philippines clawed one back through Amin Nazari.
The Lions were frustrated for over an hour, but finally found the breakthrough on 61 minutes when Hariss Harun pounced at the far post and was quickest to react to a Safuwan Baharudin flick on off a Singapore corner.
Faris Ramli, who nearly scored with an acrobatic first half effort, then found the net and register his first goal of the tournament when he arrived at the far post to knock home Zulqarnaen's cross.
Singapore will next face Timor Leste next Tuesday on 14 Dec, and victory will guarantee them a place in the last four for the first time since 2012.
Image via Siaw Woon Chong, Junpiter Futbol
The AFF Suzuki Cup will run till 1 January next year, and tickets for the tournament can be purchased at TicketMaster.sg