The first half was a tale of two bright young talents and no goals, as Kyrgyz Republic’s Gulzhigit Alykulov and Singapore Ikhsan Fandi both featured prominently for their respective nations in a see-sawing contest. 

Alykulov was cautioned within minutes for simulation, but was then at the heart of virtually all of his side’s brightest moments, although his final pass and finish often failed to live up the quality of his jinking runs down the-left hand side.

Kyrgyz Republic had the best of the opening 20 minutes, but Singapore grew in confidence after both Ikhsan Fandi and Faris Ramli drew strong saves from Erzhan Tokotaev, and it took a superb intervention from Aleksandr Mischenko to prevent Song from tapping into an empty net after an Ikshan low cross two minutes before half-time. 

If the hosts had the lion’s share of first half possession, it was Singapore who had created the better chances, but Alykulov showed he was still likely to play a pivotal role after the interval when he whistled a low drive just past the upright just after the restart, while Kairat Zhyrgalbek hit the upright from all of 30 yards shortly after.

But just as Kygryz Republic looked to be taking control of the game, they fell behind, with Song staying onside before rounding Tokotaev and steering home his second international goal against the run of play in the 55th minute. 

Knowing the importance of avoiding defeat on opening night, Kyrgyz Republic very nearly levelled when a superb Hassan Sunny save kept out a would-be own goal from Hariss Harun, and Alimardon Shukurov rattled the crossbar just seconds later as the intensity continued to rise.

Hassan saved again to deny Tamirlan Kozubaev, but Kyrgyz Republic’s fortunes changed dramatically when Song clattered Viktor Maier in the penalty area, with Kichin easily converting from 12 yards to lift the roof of Dolen Omurzakov Stadium, and level the tie with 13 minutes remaining.

Maier’s telling contribution off the bench continued five minutes later, when he turned and beat Hassan with a deflected effort from 15 yards, with the match completely turning on its head. 

Singapore’s Song had the ball in the net again with seven minutes remaining, only for the goal to be chalked off for an earlier foul, and the visitors never came any closer, leaving them to look to Saturday’s clash against Tajikistan to keep their qualification hopes alive.