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Independent Singapore
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Independent Singapore
AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers: Singapore edge Bangladesh 2-1 in gritty Dhaka showdown
BANGLADESH: Singapore's Lions clinched a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Bangladesh on Tuesday evening at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka, keeping their AFC Asian Cup 2027 dreams alive with a crucial three points in Group C. The win propels Singapore to second place in the group standings, just behind Hong Kong, who lead on goal difference following their win over India. Bangladesh, despite a spirited second-half push, slips to third. First Half: Song opens the scoring Photo: FAS Website It was a cagey start in front of a passionate home crowd, but the visitors slowly grew into the game. Singapore struck just before the half-time whistle — midfielder Song Ui-young finishing from close range after a deflected cross was knocked down into his path. The goal came against the run of play but set the tone for a clinical Singapore display. Second Half: Fandi extends, Rakib responds Bangladesh came out of the tunnel with renewed urgency. Hamza Choudhury, a British-born Sheffield United midfielder, has been making waves since confirming his allegiance to the Bangladeshi Tigers. He dictated the tempo of the game in midfield and created several game-winning openings. Yet it was Singapore who struck next. In the 58th minute, striker Ikhsan Fandi capitalised on a spilt shot from the Bangladesh keeper to slot home the Lions' second. The hosts halved the deficit nine minutes later through Rakib Hossain, who coolly slotted a low shot past Izwan Mahbud after a clever ball from Choudhury. But despite late pressure — including a golden chance for Hamza in stoppage time — the equaliser never came. New faces, old hopes The game saw two debutants for Bangladesh: Canadian-born midfielder Shamit Shome and 18-year-old winger Fahamedul Islam, both brought in by head coach Javier Cabrera to freshen up the squad. While Shome was introduced late in the second half, Islam made promising runs that thrilled the Dhaka crowd. The stadium itself — freshly renovated and roaring with energy — became a true 12th man for the Bengal Tigers. But even with home advantage, the hosts couldn't find the finishing touch. See also Unbelievable Arsenal firing away What's Next Singapore will next face India at home in October, with hopes of qualification firmly in sight. For Bangladesh, the focus will be on tightening defensive lapses and building cohesion in midfield. As the group heats up, this clash was a reminder of how narrow the margins are in Asian football — and how much heart still drives both sides of the pitch.
CNA
10-06-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Football: Singapore beat Bangladesh 2-1 in AFC Asian Cup qualifier
SINGAPORE: The Lions hung on to beat Bangladesh 2-1 at the Dhaka National Stadium on Tuesday (Jun 10), courtesy of goals from Song Ui-young and Ikhsan Fandi. The win, in spite of a second-half Rakib Hossain goal, means Singapore now have four points after their first two matches in the third round of the Asian Cup qualifiers. They are top of their group, ahead of Hong Kong on goals scored, with Bangladesh third and India bottom. Each of the six group leaders will qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup. Singapore are ranked 161st in the world rankings and Bangladesh are ranked 183rd. However, Javier Cabrera's men recently added quality to their ranks with the likes of Sheffield United midfielder Hamza Choudhury and Shamit Shome, who had two caps for Canada, taking up citizenship. Up against a physical home side, it was Tsutomu Ogura's men who had the better of the chances in the first 45 minutes. After an early start where the Lions struggled to put together a coherent spell, it was a long throw which provided their first opening. A Jordan Emaviwe header dropped towards Song, but he was only able to direct the ball wide. Singapore gradually found a foothold in the game as a smart header from Ikhsan dropped wide in the 15th minute. Six minutes later, a better chance fell the way of Singapore's talisman, but he only found the side netting. The Lions were picking gaps through the middle of the park on occasion, and in the 30th minute, Ikhsan raced through, but a poor connection on the strike saw goalkeeper Mitul Marma claw the ball away. Bangladesh had chances of their own, with the best one falling to Fahamedul Islam, whose shot was bravely blocked by defender Safuwan Baharudin. Then came the defining moment for the Lions, as another towering header from Emaviwe resulted in the ball being played back in by Harhys Stewart. Song swept the ball in from close range, despite the shot deflecting off Choudhury. Ikhsan got his reward in the 58th minute, after Marma palmed a Hami Syahin strike into his path and the forward held off his man to rifle home. But the game was by no means done, as Bangladesh won the ball in the midfield and Hossain squeezed a shot under Izwan Mahbud from a Choudhury pass. It was now the home side who bossed proceedings, with a header rebounding off the crossbar late in the game, but the Lions held firm to come away with the three points. Tsutomu Ogura's men drew 0-0 at home against Hong Kong in March, while Bangladesh also held India to a goalless draw. The Lions have never qualified for the Asian Cup on merit, with their only appearance coming as hosts in 1984.
Straits Times
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Lions survive late onslaught to claim first win of Asian Cup third-round qualifiers
Ikhsan Fandi scored as Singapore defeated Bangladesh in an Asian Cup qualifier on June 10 in Dhaka. PHOTO: FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE SINGAPORE – Coming through a physical battle in Dhaka, the Lions registered their first win of their Asian Cup third-round Group C qualifying campaign with a 2-1 win against Bangladesh on June 10. World No. 161 Singapore were tested physically by Bangladesh and weathered a storm of aggressive tackles from the hosts who bit hard into 50-50 contests and committed several fouls that went unpunished by the referee. But the Lions kept their cool, stuck to their tasks and did enough to secure the three points to top Group C on goals scored, ahead of Hong Kong who pipped India 1-0 with an injury-time winner. After spurning several chances, the Lions opened the scoring on the stroke of half-time to silence a fervent crowd of 21,317 at a sold-out National Stadium in Dhaka. Bangladesh goalkeeper Mitul Marma looked to claim a ball in the air, but flapped under pressure from Lions defender Jordan Emaviwe. The ball then fell to Harhys Stewart who put it back into the danger area for Song Ui-young to net from close range, despite Bangladesh players' efforts to clear off the line. Lions forward Ikhsan Fandi scored the second goal in the 59th minute when he latched on to the ball and tucked it away under pressure after Hami Syahin's shot was parried into his path by the goalkeeper. Bangladesh then made it nervy for Singapore when they scored in the 68th minute through Rakib Hossain, whose shot squeezed under Izwan Mahbud after he was sent through on goal by Leicester City midfielder Hamza Choudhury, who had dispossessed Harhys in midfield. But once again, as Bangladesh looked for an equaliser, calm heads prevailed as the Lions held on for victory. Singapore and Hong Kong are both on four points after two Group C matches. Hong Kong secured a last-gasp 1-0 win over India at the Kai Tak Stadium on June 10. The Lions had kicked off their Asian Cup third-round qualifying campaign with a 0-0 home draw against Hong Kong on March 25, while Bangladesh who at 183rd are the lowest-ranked team in the group, had showed their mettle by holding the group's top-ranked team India (127th) in their opening match in Shillong on the same day. Only the group winners will advance to the Asian Cup in 2027. There was a personal milestone to celebrate for the Lions as captain Hariss Harun equalled former Lions defensive stalwart Daniel Bennett's all-time record of 142 caps. The Lions will next face India in back-to-back matches in their Asian Cup qualifying campaign on Oct 9 and 14. Full match report to follow. Deepanraj Ganesan is a sports journalist at The Straits Times focusing on football, athletics and government sports announcements. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
CNA
05-06-2025
- General
- CNA
Football: Singapore beat Maldives 3-1 in friendly ahead of crucial Asian Cup qualifier
SINGAPORE: Singapore beat Maldives 3-1 at the Bishan Stadium in an international friendly on Thursday (Jun 5). A goal in the first half from Amirul Adli and an Ikhsan Fandi double put the Lions in the lead, before a late penalty from Ahmed Rizuvan reduced the deficit. Singapore are three spots higher than the 164th-ranked Maldives in the FIFA rankings. The Lions will face Bangladesh in a crucial 2027 Asian Cup third-round group C qualifier in Dhaka on Jun 10. Singapore are grouped with Hong Kong, India and Bangladesh in the third round of the Asian Cup qualifiers. Each of the six group leaders will qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup. Tsutomu Ogura's men only managed a 0-0 home draw against Hong Kong in March, while Bangladesh also held India to a goalless draw. The Lions have never qualified for the Asian Cup on merit, with Singapore's only appearance coming as hosts in 1984. The home side took an early lead in the eighth minute, courtesy of a header from Amirul after a looping corner from the left. Ikhsan doubled the lead 13 minutes later after he pounced on poor marking to thump a header home. The powerful striker got his second in the 32nd minute after a good delivery from Song Ui-young off a free-kick. But the Maldives were not without threat, as Ali Faser beat Izwan Mahbud but not the crossbar with a powerful shot just before the half. Singapore came out after the interval looking sharper and could have gone four goals up in the 50th minute. Tidy play from substitute Kyoga Nakamura saw him dink a ball to Ikhsan but the striker headed over. Nakamura was at the heart of all things good for Singapore and it was his ball across the box which found Faris Ramli, but the winger could only blaze over the crossbar.
Straits Times
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Lions end six-match winless run with 3-1 victory over the Maldives
Singapore's Ikhsan Fandi celebrating after scoring his first of two goals in the 3-1 friendly win over the Maldives on June 5 at Bishan Stadium. ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR SINGAPORE – With Ikhsan Fandi marking his international football return with a brace, the Lions will head into their Asian Cup qualifier in Bangladesh on June 10 with some confidence after beating the Maldives 3-1 in an international friendly at the Bishan Stadium on June 5. Tsutomu Ogura's men had scored just once in their last five matches, and are missing star forward Shawal Anuar, who is set to undergo a medical procedure during this period, but were bright and clinical in attack against the woeful visitors, whose domestic league was suspended for the last two years. The Japanese coach made five changes to the side that started in the goalless Asian Cup qualifier against Hong Kong in March as fit-again striker Ikhsan made a timely return as the lone targetman in a 4-5-1 system. Young Lions forward Amir Syafiz was handed his Lions debut on the wing, South Korea-born midfielder Song Ui-young returned to the fold as his mother recovers from a stroke, while Jordan Emaviwe slotted in at left-back for his fourth cap, and Irfan Najeeb started at right-back. Almost all the incoming players had a hand in the opening of floodgates. Amir had already stung the palms of Hussain Shareef with his fourth-minute effort, before Amirul headed in Song's corner three minutes later for his first international goal on his 35th appearance. Ikhsan, who had not played for the world No. 161 Lions in the past year due to a series of injuries, then cushioned in a header off Harhys Stewart's left-wing cross in the 20th minute before nodding in Song's free-kick 12 minutes later for his 19th and 20th international goals on his 39th cap. While they generally played well in the first half, there will also be some areas of concern in defence, most notably in how susceptible they looked in transition and how they conceded large swathes of space and opportunities to their 164th-ranked opponents. Following a defensive lapse, Ali Fasir found himself one-on-one with Izwan Mahbud but thumped his shot against the bar in the 44th minute. Ten minutes after the restart, Hamza Mohamed managed to find Ali in the box again, but the latter volleyed wide. While the introduction of Faris Ramli, Kyoga Nakamura, Ilhan Fandi and Taufik Suparno did add attacking threat, as Song hit the post in the 61st minute, it was the visitors who created more opportunities as the match was reduced to walking pace at times in the second half. Safuwan Baharudin fouled Hassan Nazeem unnecessarily in the box for Ahmed Rizuvan to net a consolation penalty in added time to remind the Lions not to be complacent against 183rd-ranked Bangladesh in five days' time. David Lee is senior sports correspondent at The Straits Times focusing on aquatics, badminton, basketball, cue sports, football and table tennis. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
