Singapore national team has tied with Papua New Guinea national team with a score of 2-2 in the International Friendly ‘A’ Match at Singapore National Stadium, Kallang.
This friendly was originally slated for Thursday but was postponed by a day, as the Papuans’ Tuesday flight to Singapore was cancelled. They arrived just after 9pm on Thursday.
Their sluggishness was apparent in the opening stages and the Lions sought to seize the advantage with plenty of balls over the Papuans’ static defence.
But it was a goal from a set piece that did the trick eventually. In the 22nd minute, a corner from Hafiz Nor was headed into the danger zone by Shakir Hamzah before Adam Swandi headed the ball in from close range. Singapore leads 1-0.
The Papuans equalized in the 42nd minute when Singapore’s defense failed to close down Ati Kepo, who fired past Hassan from just outside the box.
But the Lions sprang into action just a minute later, when Hariss Harun, who had come on earlier to replace the injured Zulfahmi Arifin, sent Shawal Anuar clear with a ball over the Papuan backline duly chipped the on-rushing Papuan goalkeeper Ronald Warisan to make it 2-1.
And just when it seemed that Singapore would go into the break with the lead, they conceded again, this time in comical fashion.
A clearance in his own box from Shakir hit Papuan forward Raymond Gunemba before nestling into the net, beyond a hapless Hassan.
In the second period, when Singapore needed to up the ante, no one stepped forward to grab the game by the scruff of its neck.
The crowd was subdued as well, with more groans than cheers when Singapore’s attackers were caught offside when they tried to pour forward.
Both sides had chances to win it, with the best opportunities falling the Papuans’ way, as Lionel Tan and Glenn Kweh were forced into crucial interventions to save Singapore’s blushes.
Source : Straits Time
Credit Photo : FAS
