|
|
|
|
| 2010 FIFA World Cup |
|
|
|
| Singapore squeeze past Lebanon |
 |
| John Wilkinson (left) wrestles Khaled Hamieh in Singapore's 2-1 win over Lebanon. (AFP) |
BEIRUT – Two goals in a minute saw Singapore come from a goal down to beat Lebanon 2-1 in their final Group Three match in the World Cup qualifiers at Beirut Sports City Stadium on Sunday.
It was easy to see why both sides had already been eliminated from the competition prior to kick-off as they produced displays littered with basic errors but Singapore will be happy to have secured a second victory over their opponents and end their campaign with six points.
Lebanon’s Ali Yaakoub tested Hassan Sunny after 20 minutes with a shot from the corner of the box that the Singapore keeper held before opposite number Hassan Moghnieh almost gifted the visitors the lead.
An innocuous long ball into the Lebanon box seemed to carry little threat only for Moghnieh to come charging out of his goal and decide to clear with his feet.
The keeper completely missed his kick and the ball fell to Aleksander Duric but the striker’s shot was a weak one and Moghnieh managed to scramble back and recover.
Hassan turned a long-range effort on to the post before Duric wasted another chance just after the half-hour mark when he collected a pass and surged into the box but shot straight at Moghnieh.
The home side took the lead after 62 minutes when Amer Khan’s free-kick from way out on the left touchline was flicked on by Singapore defender Baihakki Khaizan past his own keeper and into the far corner.
However, the hosts then gifted Singapore a 73rd minute equaliser in the most astonishing of circumstances.
Ismail Yunos’ diagonal cross was knocked down by Duric before Lebanon defender Ramez Dayoub, under absolutely no pressure whatsoever, chested the ball beyond keeper Moghnieh and then inexplicably lashed the ball into his own net.
The visitors then went ahead a minute later when John Wilkinson raced clear of the Lebanese defence to latch on to substitute Mohammad Khairul’s flick before coolly slotting the ball past Moghnieh.
Khairul brought a fine reflex save out of Moghnieh with a powerful angled strike shortly afterwards before Lebanon wasted a golden opportunity to level the game in the final ten minutes.
Nasrat Al Jamal drove into the box down the left before delivering a low cross into the path of Mahmoud El Ali and although the ball did bobble up slightly, he should have done much better than knee the ball embarrassingly wide from six yards in what proved his side’s final chance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
