> DRAW ENOUGH TO SEE SINGAPORE THROUGH

SINGAPORE (Jan 17, 2007) – It was a tremendous battle that had the fans on the edge of their seats. It was so closely contested the match really could have gone either way. In the end, the last preliminary round Group B match between Singapore and Indonesia ended in a 2-2 draw.

While the single point was enough to see the Lions through to the next stage, for Indonesia it meant a premature exit from the tournament, which ended their four run of four consecutive semifinal appearances in this competition.

Singapore, the defending champions and Group B champions here, have set the stage for a sensational showdown with their arch rivals, Malaysia in the first semifinals on Jan 23. Vietnam, who secured the second spot in the group after whipping Laos 9-0 tonight, will battle Thailand in the second semifinals on Jan 24.

Singapore, Vietnam and Indonesia all completed their fixtures with five points each, Indonesia however were knocked out on an inferior goal difference.

In tonight’s match at the National Stadium, Indonesia twice fought back to level the score. Singapore had a grant start to this crucial tie when Indra Sahdan Daud was brought down by Indonesia keeper Hendro Kartiko just nine minutes into the match.

Mohd Noh Alam Shah, the scorer of seven goals in his team’s 11-0 rout of Laos two days ago, sent the custodian the wrong way to the delight of the 13,000-plus fans at the stadium.

Indonesia put the goal behind them and charged back, pushing the Singapore defence all the way. Their efforts paid off they leveled the score in the 26th minute through striker Ilham Jayakesuma.

Within a space of three minutes, Singapore and Indonesia scored a goal each. Indra headed the Lions ahead in the 52nd minute but Zainal Aref squared it once again in the 55th minute.


Both sides never relented and battled furiously to the end in their hunt for more goals. Indonesia brought in Bambang Pamungkas while Singapore called on the services of Mohd Khairul Amri but both failed to hit the mark.


Source http://aseanfootball.org/afc/news_d.asp?id=52