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Qualifiers - Group H: Winning start for Korea Republic in title defence; Singapore, Timor-Leste settle for draw

Qualifiers - Group H: Winning start for Korea Republic in title defence; Singapore, Timor-Leste settle for draw

Singapore: Korea Republic opened their AFC U23 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2022 Qualifiers campaign with an emphatic 3-0 win over Philippines in Group H action on Monday, while Singapore fought back to salvage a 2-2 draw with Timor-Leste in the day’s later match. 
After a goalless first 45 minutes, the young Taeguk Warriors turned on the power in the second half with three players finding the back of the net to secure the points at the Jalan Besar Stadium. 

Singapore came back from a goal down after opening the scoring against Timor-Leste to a 2-2 draw, as both sides secured a point on the opening day. 
Korea Republic 3-0 Philippines

Korea Republic came into the match with the burden of being the defending champions, and were out for goals right from the get-go but the Philippines put up a formidable fight to keep the game in a stalemate. 
Head coach Hwang Sun-hong made three changes after the break to revitalise Korea's attacking options, but it was defender Lee Kyu-hyuk who broke the deadlock in the 51st minute. 

Go Jae-hyeon’s fine effort in the 72nd minute made it 2-0, before Park Jeong-in sealed the win with an 89th minute goal to kick off their title defence in style. 
Singapore 2-2 Timor-Leste

Singapore and Timor-Leste, aiming for a first-ever appearance in the AFC U23 Asian Cup, didn’t hold back in the opening minutes as they battled for dominance. 

However, it took the home side 34 minutes before finding the back of the net with Glenn Kweh the fastest to react to a corner kick sent in by Joel Chew.
Timor-Leste were quick to respond, with Elias Joao Mesquita drawing them level five minutes and Paulo Domingos Freitas putting them ahead in the 42nd minute. 

Singapore returned in the second half stronger but Timor-Leste goalkeeper Junildo Manuel Pereira proved to be a stumbling block. 
To their credit, Singapore kept prodding and were rewarded in the fifth minute of added time with Jordan Emaviwe slotting home to salvage a point. 

Timor-Leste play Korea Republic next on Thursday while Singapore face the Philippines.

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