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Cambodia stuns Singapore 2-1 in football friendly

Football friendly between Singapore and Cambodia on 28 July 2016. Screenshot: Prime Minister Hun Sen's Facebook page
Football friendly between Singapore and Cambodia on 28 July 2016. Screenshot: Prime Minister Hun Sen's Facebook page

Singapore were stunned 2-1 on Thursday night as they suffered their first loss to Cambodia in 44 years.

The Lions were upset by opponents ranked 22 places in the world below them in a friendly at Phnom Penh’s National Olympic Stadium, where they beat the same opposition 4-0 last June in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

The Angkor Warriors’ last triumph over Singapore was 3-0 result in 1972 at the Jakarta Anniversary Tournament, 16 matches ago.

The match was the last of a training tour to help prepare them for November’s AFF Suzuki Cup. V. Sundramoorthy and his charges arrived in Cambodia from Japan, where they lost 3-2 to the Niigata University of Health and Welfare, beat Japan Soccer College 2-0 and lost 3-0 to J-League side Albirex Niigata.

Despite it being only a friendly, the game received warm support in Cambodia, with Prime Minister Samdech Hun Sen providing a “live” stream on his official Facebook page.

Singapore had to do without overseas-based key players Hassan Sunny, Baihakki Khaizan, Safuwan Baharudin and Hariss Harun, as well as the injured Faris Ramli.

Perhaps that affected the team’s fluidity, or they were still trying to find their feet under Sundramoorthy, who was taking charge of only his third ‘A’ international since being appointed in May.

In front of a sellout 50,000 crowd, Chan Vathanaka put Cambodia ahead on 19 minutes. A reckless challenge by Shakir Hamzah presented the 22-year-old star with a free-kick opportunity 25 yards out and he curled a beautiful effort into the top right corner.

The visitors did respond well as captain Khairul Amri met Izzdin Shafiq’s pass from deep with a splendid looping header from six yards four minutes later to equalise.

But they fell behind again in first half stoppage time as the menacing Vathanka turned provider, smartly cutting the ball back for Tith Dina to slot home from close range.

The goal incurred Sundramoorthy’s wrath, who remonstrated with the match officials on the sidelines as he felt the ball had gone out of play before it was played to Vathanaka.

To be fair, Singapore were unfortunate to lose after they hit the woodwork thrice in the second half, with the bar stopping Fazrul Nawaz’s volley and Zulfahmi Arifin’s free-kick, before the former was denied one final time in the 89th minute by the post.

Cambodia held on for a famous win despite having Hong Pheng’s dismissal for a second booking on 75 minutes, leaving Singapore with plenty to ponder upon when they return home today.

Cambodia: Sou Yaty, Chhin Chhoeun, Hong Pheng, Sok Sovan, Soeuy Visal, Rous Samoeun, Chrerng Polroth, Tith Dina, Sos Suhana (Hoy Phallin 28'; Nen Sothearoth 77'), Chan Vathanaka (Prak Mony Udom 84'), Keo Sokpheng (Samoeun Pidor 89')

Singapore: Izwan Mahbud, Faritz Hameed, Abdil Qaiyyim, Madhu Mohana, Shakir Hamzah (Safirul Sulaiman 85'), Nazrul Nazari (Gabriel Quak 59'), Izzdin Shafiq (Daniel Bennett 90'), Zulfahmi Arifin (Khairul Nizam 82'), Hafiz Abu Sujad (Hafiz Nor 69'), Fazrul Nawaz, Khairul Amri (Sahil Suhaimi 74')