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Southeast Asian sides Thailand and Singapore managed to earn themselves credible attracts in opposition to heavy favorites in Thursday’s World Cup qualifying matches, with Thailand forcing hosts South Korea to a 1-1 stalemate and Singapore recovering from 2-0 all the way down to drawing 2-2 with China on the Nationwide Stadium in Kallang.
Beneath the management of South Korea U-23 head coach Hwang Solar-hong, following the sacking of Jurgen Klinsmann, South Korea seized the lead three minutes earlier than half-time on the Seoul World Cup Stadium.
Tottenham Hotspur talisman Son Heung-min was the important thing determine in South Korea’s opener, with the captain changing from shut vary to set the hosts on track for his or her third consecutive qualifying victory.
Nevertheless, the boisterous crowd fell silent within the 61st minute as Suphanat Mueanta, staying onside, rifled a shot previous the uncovered goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo to degree the rating for Thailand.
Regardless of quite a few alternatives to safe the successful objective, South Korea didn’t capitalize in opposition to a resilient Thailand protection.
South Korea preserve their place atop Group C with seven factors, whereas Thailand, maintain onto second place with 4 factors. The 2 sides will meet once more subsequent week on the Rajamangala Nationwide Stadium in Bangkok.
In the meantime in Singapore, the Lions, of their first match beneath new head coach Tsutomu Ogura, suffered a primary half setback after the visiting Chinese language stormed to a 2-0 lead.
Heavy favorites on this tie, China instantly went on the offensive from the beginning, with former Espanyol man Wu Lei discovering the web with a robust header previous Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny within the tenth minute.
Ogura’s group exerted vital stress, but their opponents remained composed, skillfully taking part in out from the again a number of instances.
Singapore discovered themselves indebted to Hassan halfway by means of the primary half when he thwarted a feeble penalty from Wu Lei after Nazrul Nazari was penalized for handball within the field.
This save appeared to energise the Lions, who launched a number of assaults thereafter, with midfielder Shah Shahiran narrowly lacking with a half-volley.
Nevertheless, simply as Singapore was about to enter half-time trailing, Wu Lei struck once more within the dying moments of the primary half, capitalizing on Hassan’s rebound from a robust shot.
As soon as a powerhouse of Southeast Asian soccer, Singapore had skilled a state of decline for the previous few years. Ogura was given the almighty process of restoring Singapore’s place amongst the area’s elite and he wasn’t intimidated by his first process of dealing with a China facet that, whereas nonetheless lagging behind the likes of Japan and South Korea, are nonetheless a significant powerhouse inside Asian soccer. Ogura’s halftime directive was clear: stay fearless and execute our sport plan.
The Lions responded accordingly.
The hosts broke the impasse within the 53rd minute when an extended go from Lionel Tan discovered Faris Ramli, with the Tampines Rovers man managing to fit the ball previous China’s Yan Junling.
With over 40 minutes remaining, the guests continued to pose a risk, significantly by means of Fernandinho on Singapore’s left flank.
Then, one other substitute made his mark as Madura United’s Jacob Mahler struck a objective within the 81st minute, a lot to the delight of the house supporters. Throughout the stadium, a major contingent of Chinese language followers have been left shocked.
As an alternative of settling for a draw, the Lions pushed for victory however have been unable to safe a historic consequence. They have been additionally denied a possible penalty late within the sport when Safuwan Baharudin gave the impression to be obstructed within the field.
Regardless of the draw, Singapore stays on the backside of Group C. Subsequent week, in Tianjin, the Lions will goal to enhance upon their efficiency in opposition to their formidable opponents.
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