Singapore come back from 2 goals down to hold China in Lions coach Ogura’s opening game

SINGAPORE — The Lions showed heart, grit, and immense fighting spirit in the opening game of Tsutomu Ogura’s tenure as they came back from two goals down to hold China to a 2-2 draw at the National Stadium on Thursday (March 21).

A Wu Lei first-half double looked to have dashed any hopes of Singapore picking up any points in the third match of their World Cup qualifying campaign, but substitute Faris Ramli gave the Lions a route back into the game before Jacob Mahler smashed home a late equaliser.

Singapore had lost their first two matches in their qualifying group last November, with a 3-1 loss to Thailand and a 5-0 drubbing by South Korea. 

But this was a much tighter affair, and a different Lions team.

Close to 70 places higher in the world rankings at 88, China dominated proceedings from the off. 

And with just 10 minutes played, striker Wu Lei capitalised on a pocket of space in the box to head home.

Ogura’s men pressed hard but their opponents appeared unfazed as they played their way out from the back on a number of occasions.

Singapore had Hassan Sunny to thank midway through the first 45 as he saved a weak penalty from Wu Lei after Nazrul Nazari was adjudged to have handled in the box.

The save looked to give the Lions a boost as they launched a number of attacks, with midfielder Shah Shahiran coming agonisingly close with a half-volley.

But just as the Lions were about go into the break a goal behind, Wu Lei struck again after Hassan parried a fierce shot into his path.

The last time Singapore beat China in a competitive match was at the 1983 Merlion Cup, with the Lions winning 1-0 in the semi-final, according to the Football Association of Singapore (FAS). 

But Ogura’s side showed no signs of being overawed as a long ball from Lionel Tan found Faris and the nippy forward squeezed the ball past China’s Yan Junling in the 53rd minute.

The away side weren’t going anywhere with more than 40 minutes left on the clock, as Fernandinho continued to be a thorn down Singapore’s left.

Then it was time for another substitute to get in on the act as Jacob Mahler rifled home in the 81st minute to the delight of the home crowd. On the opposite end of the stadium, a large swathe of Chinese fans were stunned.

And rather than shut up shop, the Lions went for the win, but were denied a famous result.

Despite the draw, the Lions stay rooted to the bottom of their group. 

But more than a point, the result represents hope. Hope that Singapore now has a football team which can mix it with the best and hold their own. CNA