SINGAPORE: Singapore is now one step closer to defending its ASEAN Football Championship title.

The Lions beat Thailand 2-1 in the first-leg at the National Stadium after a controversial penalty eight minutes from the final whistle.

The momentum was clearly in Singapore's favour right from the kick-off.

Attacking the Thai goal post paid dividends in the 17th minute.

Noh Alam Shah capitalised on a Thai defensive scramble and gave Singapore its first goal of the night.

Fans were tantalised by the Lions for the remaining first half, but the team could not connect.

In the second half, the rejuvenated Thai side began piling the pressure.

And Singapore's defence crumbled and Pipat Thonkanya equalised in the 50th minute.

The match then heated up in dramatic fashion in the 82nd minute.

Players from both sides went for the ball inside the Thai penalty box and Singapore's Noh Alam Shah was brought down.

At that moment, Malaysian referee C Ravichandran awarded Singapore the controversial penalty.

The Thai players protested and headed for the sideline, refusing to play.

For 15 minutes, confusion, nerves and emotions engulfed the fans in the stadium with the game hanging in limbo.

With the Championship - and reputation for sportsmanship at stake - the Thais returned to the game.

Taking the spot kick, it was up to Mustafic Fahrudin to put Singapore ahead.

With that precious goal, the 55,000 Lion fans erupted in cheers of ecstasy.

Radojko Avramovic, Singapore Coach, said: "From the beginning, the players wanted to win this game. They have great attitude and support from people in the stadium and we scored great goals. I think, in the end, we won this game because we wanted to win more than Thailand."

When asked about the Thai players' protest and game delay, the Thai coach only had this say.

Chanvit Phalajivin, Thailand Coach, said: "Our comment today is 'no comment'. Sorry, it's no comment today you can see everything."

"For me it's a big surprise, I didn't expect them (Thais) to do what they've done. I told my players to just keep warm – they will come back but they're just trying to get us to lose our concentration."

The final test for Singapore in defending their title will be the return leg, which will be played in Bangkok on Sunday. - CNA/so