Faris star in Singapore win over Cambodia

 18/11/2014

A crazy first half featuring six goals saw Singapore record their second straight win with a 4-2 victory over Cambodia but the Lions shaky defence will be cause for concern for coach Bernd Stange.

In the end an impressive display of wing play by Faris Ramli, capped with a goal, proved the highlight of a strange match, which Singapore dominated, yet was most notable for a crazy spell mid-way through the first half that saw five goals in ten minutes.
Ramli’s goal, following on from a ninth minute volley by Khairul Amri and well taken strikes by captain Sharil Ishak and defender Safuwan Baharudin eventually proved enough for Singapore to finish their Suzuki cup preparations with a second win in a week; but the manner of the victory will leave plenty for coach Bernd Stange to ponder as the home team twice let Cambodia back into the match.
He'll be particularly concerned at how easily the pace of a Cambodian team, who didn't even qualify for the tournament finals unsettled his defence time and again in a frenetic first half that served up six goals for a sizeable crowd.
The German coach had clearly sent out his best team, with the only change seeing Sahil Suhami make way for Shafiq Ghani, as the Lions looked to build on their victory against Laos.
It had seemed like it was all going to be script as Singapore started the first half in confident fashion moving the ball around nicely and looking a threat every time they went forward. It was no surprise when they took the lead after just 9 minutes. Some nice approach play ending in Shahril Ishak whipping in a delicious ball that was met on the half volley by Khairul Amri standing unmarked on the penalty spot.

That goal seemed to settle the Lions side down and with Hariss and Ishak bossing the midfield and Faris looking a constant threat down the left they could had chances to go further ahead. Amri who was at the heart of the action missing the best opportunity on 25 minutes when he conspired to head over from two yards out after a good flick on by Baharudin.
However, despite Singapore’s dominance they did look unsettled by the pace of Cambodia up front and that proved their undoing 2 minutes later. The lively winger Prak Mony Udom wiggled passed Shaiful Esah before sending a delightful cross into the six yard box. The equally impressive Khoun Laburavay met it with a well-directed header that Sunny got a hand too but couldn’t keep out.
That goal then ushered in a crazy spell where both teams seemed to lose their heads and forget how to defend. Singapore took the lead back within two minutes, once again exploiting the huge holes down the Cambodian left.
A lovely pass by Shaiful Esah released Amri who evaded his marker with a nice turn and rolled a perfect cutback into the path of Faris who finished low and hard into the corner.
There was no time to catch breath, though, as Cambodia hit back immediately from a free kick. Udom was once again the provider as he sent over a lovely cross that evaded the whole Singapore defence, allowing Laburavy time and space to finish from close range.
To their credit Singapore weren’t to be denied and took the lead again thanks to a touch of true class from Shaiful Esah. His beautiful free kick eluded the keeper only to thud back off the post, but Shahril Ishak was on hand to cooly finish into the unguarded net. Amazingly, that wasn’t the end of the first half scoring, as Singapore took a two goal lead after 37 minutes.
Again it came from a free kick, though there was definitely a touch of good fortune about the finish.  An Esah freekick was half cleared by Cambodia only to drop invitingly to Hariss on the edge of the box. His weak volleyed effort flew straight to Baharudin in the box who turned smartly to finish passed the flat footed keeper.
Not surprisingly, after such a whirlwind 45 minutes, the second half failed to match the excitement with neither side adding to the scoring. Stange had clearly ordered his side to sit a little deeper to counteract Cambodia’s pace and the home side were clearly happy to slow the game down. Despite that they continued to look threatening going forward and created a string of half chances that they should really have capitalised on.
Not surprisingly,  most of those chances were created by the quick feet of Amri who gave right back Chhin Chheon a torrid time all night. In arguably the move of the half, the winger sent another dangerous  low cross into the box on 78 minutes, which substitute Sahil Suhaimi did well to let run to fellow sub Gabriel Quak. The Lions XII player side stepped the closest defender but keeper Tati did well to palm his shot away for a corner.
As the half drew to a close Cambodia began to tire noticeably Singapore sensed blood, going close on a number of occasions in the final minutes. Faris should have bagged a second goal but shot wide after being picked out in the edge of the box by Suhaimi, before Quak hit the cross bar after an all mighty scramble in the box. In the end though the Lion’s couldn't put a gloss on the result and get the goal to reflect their second half dominance.
There are plenty of positives for Singapore to take forward. Thee players came through the match unscathed, despite some strong challenges from the Cambodian team and they will be happy to have carried such a threat going forward.

Yet, while a win is a win, they will surely have to tighten up at the back if they have any hope of retaining the Suzuki Cup. The lightning quick front line of Thailand will be licking their lips ahead of their opening match on Sunday after tonight’s generous defensive performance by their opponents.