Date: Sun, 02 Oct 2011
SINGAPORE, 1st October 2011: The main show of the Sultan of Selangor Cup 2011 saw the Singapore Selection side taking on the Selangor Selection which included the likes of guest players like Safee Sali, Jesper Blomqvist and Jason McAteer. The match was a highly anticipated one with the Shah Alam Stadium packed to capacity. 75,000 spectators filled the stadium and the occasion was also graced by dignitaries from a few Malaysian states, namely the Sultan of Selangor himself.
The match started off with both sides playing cautiously and passing the ball around and the first few minutes saw them testing each other out with shots from afar.
Selangor had an early scare in the fourth minute when a through ball from Singapore forward, Fazrul Nawaz found Aleksandar Duric. The 41 year old looked set on goal but Selangor’s keeper, Jeevanantaham was quick off his line to get to the ball first.
Selangor replied quickly a minute later when Malaysian striker, Safee Sali had a crack at goal. He pounced on a loose ball just outside the penalty box as the Singapore defence failed to close down on him, fortunately, his shot was straight at Singapore custodian, Lionel Lewis.
Geylang United striker, Hafiz Rahim then showed what he was made off with a shot from way out in the 18th minute. After spotting Selangor’s Jeevanantaham off his line, Hafiz decided to go for goal with a well-weighted lob but his attempt just sailed over the crossbar.
Selangor almost broke the deadlock a few minutes later after a mix-up in the Singapore defence. The back-four failed to clear the ball inside the penalty area and was almost punished but Amri Yahyah’s shot was blocked off once again by Lionel.
Singapore came close themselves in the 31st minute but Aleksandar Duric’s header was just wide off the post.
The Lions then wasted another chance to break the deadlock in the closing stages of the first half when once again, Duric had a great chance on goal. His one-on-one attempt was quickly closed down by the Selangor keeper and it was another chance gone begging.
The second half saw Izwan Mahbud, replacing Lionel Lewis in goal for the Lions.
Izwan was soon called back into action again in the 52nd minute, after a low ball was driven across the Singapore goal mouth to find Safee Sali unmarked. The shot from the marksmen caused Izwan to be at full stretch and the latter’s fingertips denied Selangor once again.
Singapore was next to test the abilities of Selangor’s keeper when a carefully placed shot that was goal-bound from substitute, Isa Halim was tipped over by Jeevanantaham.
Singapore then piled on the pressure for the next couple of minutes and was duly rewarded for their efforts in the 66th minute. A cross came in and attempts were made by the host’s backline but it ended up in the back of the net after a deflection from a defender.
With the lead in hand, Singapore continued in search for another goal that will see them seal the game.
After Selangor had a goal disallowed for hand-ball, Singapore played cautiously and knocked the ball around to run the clock down and retain the cup in front of their adoring traveling fans who were seen chanting and singing for the players even after the match.
Speaking of the game, coach Radojko Avramovic stated, “It was an intense game despite it being a friendly. It was a very good game of football and we will use it as an opportunity to try out some players in certain positions. This match was also a good preparation leading up to the upcoming international matches.”
The match ended with the Singapore Selection Side victorious and the Sultan of Selangor Cup, returning back to the trophy cabinet at Jalan Besar Stadium.
Final Score: Selangor Selection 0 – 1 Singapore Selection
Singapore Starting Line-up: Lionel Lewis (Izwan Mahbud 45’), Daniel Bennett, Safuwan Baharudin, Shaiful Esah, Juma’at Jantan, Shahril Ishak (C) (Shahdan Sulaiman 69’), Hafiz Rahim (Ruzaini Zainal 57’) (Ismail Yunos 73’), Shi Jiayi, Fazrul Nawaz, Aleksandar Duric, Noh Rahman (Isa Halim 57’).
Substitutes: Delwinder Singh, Ismail Yunos, Ruzaini Zainal, Izwan Mahbud, Hamqaamal Shah, Shahdan Sulaiman, Isa Halim
Selangor Strating Line-up: Razman Roslan, Asraruddin Omar, Safiq Rahim, Bunyamin Umar, P. Gunalan, Amri Yahyah (C) (Rudie Ramli 82'), Amirulhadi (Azidan Sarudin 88'), Jeevanantaham, Safee Sali (Fitri Shazwan 71'), Jason Mc Ateer (Nazri Ahmad 71'), Jesper Blomquist
Substitutes: Nazri Ahmad, Rudie Ramli, Hardi Jaafar, Yosri Derma Raju, Azidan Sarudin, D. Surendran, Iqbal Suhimi, Fadzil Saari, Fitri Shazwan.
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