Singapore limp to 4

Singapore got the win they needed but they made incredibly heavy weather of their 4-2 victory and suffered some crucial injury setbacks in the process.

BY NICK MEASURES Follow on Twitter

Singapore got the win they needed but they made heavy weather of their 4-2 victory and suffered some crucial injury setbacks in the process.

It had all seemed so simple as two goals from a brilliant Hariss Harun and a delightful free kick by Shaiful Esah saw them romp into a 3-0 lead at half time. But Myanmar simply refused to know they were beaten scoring twice in a spell of sustained second half pressure to have Singapore distinctly rattled.

In the end an own goal by Myanmar's captain gave the score line a more respectable appearance but Stange will have been alarmed at how sloppy his team got in the second half.

The victory also came at a heavy cost to his team as influential midfielder Shahdan Sulaiman suffered a broken ankle after a sickening collision with team mate Khairul Amri that had the players immediately calling for the stretcher.

The Lions also lost right back Muhamad Mukhtar to a first half injury and will also have to make do without Baihakki Khaizan after he picked up his second yellow of the tournament which means he's suspended for the final group game against Malaysia. Despite getting three points here they know they will still need to get at least a draw against their rivals to guarantee their progression to the next round.

Things had all started so brightly as Shaiful Esah, who set up the goal on Sunday, once again demonstrated his ability at set pieces on 15 minutes. His lovely curling free kick managed to evade everyone, including the keeper before nestling in the far corner.

Then came the bad injury to Sulaiman as he and Amri collided heavily while attempting to clear a corner. The severity of the injury was immediately clear from the reaction of his fellow players, with Sunny looking particularly distraught. Still Singapore didn't let that blow put them off their stride as they continue to press a nervy-looking Myanmar.

It was no surprise when the next goal came on 35 minutes after good work down the left channel by Khairul Amri. His clipped cross was half cleared to the edge of the box where Hariss Harun had time to control with his chest before firing a beautiful volley passed the helpless keeper.

His next finish was even better and it was again the result of an excellent delivery from Esah. He swung in a dangerous corner that went all the way through to the back post where Myanmar's left winger Kyaw Chit under no real pressure decided to head back across goal. Hariss standing just outside the six yard post was on hand to accept the gift rifling the ball in the top left hand corner for his second of the night.

Despite that three goal lead Singapore then proceeded to lose their heads in a second half that was dominated by their underdog opponents, as Myanmar's midfield, especially the central duo of Min Min Thu and Tin Win Aung began to take a grip of the game. That led to a sustained period of pressure for Myanmar, which saw striker Kyaw Ko Ko go close on a couple of occasions before Singapore offered them a way back into the match.

As the Lions midfield lost the ball again, the ball was quickly worked for to Kyaw Zayar Win who played a neat 1-2 with Kyaw Ko Ko on the edge of the box before calmly finishing passed an exposed Sunny.

Roared on by their supporters, who certainly outnumbered Singapore for noise, Myanmar scented blood and got further reward for their gutsy display as a lovely dinked ball over the top of the static back line put in the excellent Ko Ko. His poor control allowed Sufwan to get back at him but his clumsy challenge gave the referee no choice but to point to the spot. Ko Ko dusted himself off before stepping up to roll the ball cooly down the middle as Sunny committed early.

It then took a couple of good saves from Sunny to prevent what would have been a remarkable comeback before Esah again came to Singapore's rescue. Myanmar captain Khin Maung Lwin was the villain as he hauled down Sahil Suhaimi midway into their half, and then conspired to head the subsequent free kick by Eash passed his wrong footed keeper.

It was enough to settle the nerves and Amri could have increased the scoreline further only for Amri to clip his shot over the bar after an excellent run by Ramli but in the end it didn't matter. Strong performances by Esah and an imperious midfield display by Hariss ensured that Singapore got the three points they desperately needed but the true costs of this result might only be apparent when they take on Malaysia on Saturday.

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