Date:
Sat, 05 Nov 2011 
The training match was held in preparations for the national team’s upcoming World Cup Qualifier matches against Jordan and China.
Speedy striker Fazrul Nawaz scored the only goal of the match.
The match started off slow, as both teams stroked the ball around to get a feel of the pitch and possession of the ball was equal for both sides in the first half.
The first chance of the game came in the 10th minute when captain Shahril Ishak pounced on a loose ball outside the Albirex Niigata penalty box, after a lapse in the defence. With only the goalkeeper to beat, Albirex Niigata’s defender, Kawakami threw himself on the line to block off the shot.
Albirex Niigata’s first chance at goal came soon after in the 13th minute, when Lions’ defender, Sevki Sha’ban handled the ball in his own penalty area. The penalty had to be re-taken for a second time after the initial penalty by Tatsuro Inui was disallowed by referee, Sukhbir Singh, after infringements by Albirex’s players, charging into the penalty box before the kick was taken.
Singapore’s custodian, Lionel Lewis guessed the correct way for the second penalty.
In the 22nd minute, Sevki had a glorious chance squandered, when he latched on a loose ball from a resulting corner, but his shot just from just outside the penalty box was straight to the Swan’s keeper.
Another chance for the Lions came in the 34th minute when once again, captain Shahril found himself free, after fellow striker, Aleksandar Duric set him free with a defence splitting pass.
With the defence quickly closing in, and with no options available to him, the ex-Home United player decided to take matters in his own hands, tried for goal with a cheeky lob, which landed on the net.
Albirex Niigata, had a wonderful opportunity to break the deadlock just before the break. A neat display of football by Albirex Niigata’s forwards in front of goal led to a shot by Inui. It was however stopped, again, by Lionel, who was brilliant all night long in keeping the goal mouth safe.
The half came to an end with both sides failing to break the deadlock.
A few changes were made in the second half with newly called-up Lions, Firdaus Idros of Home United and Hyrulnizam Juma’at of SAF FC being summoned for their first taste of national team football.
The second half saw both sides eager to get themselves on the score sheet, with more fluid and aggressive football being played right from the start.
Hyrulnizam had little time to settle down in his newly appointed role and was quickly called into action when Albirex Niigata’s midfielder, Shotaro Ihata, leashed out a powerful shot which forced a save out of the keeper.
The Lions’ goal came in the 50th minute when intricate passing from Fazrul and skipper, Shahril, released Juma’at Jantan on the right wing.
A low cross from him went right across the Swans’ goal mouth, and Fazrul who continued the move he started, found himself unmarked in the penalty box and slotted the ball in.
The goal prompted Albirex Niigata to push harder in search for the equalizer. The team from Japan pressed hard and did well in keeping possession of the ball, forcing the Lions to be on their back foot for the rest of the match.
Another newly called-up Lion, Patrick Paranjody of Tanjong Pagar, was also given an opportunity to get a his first taste national team football in the 60th minute when he came on to replace Fazrul.
Albirex almost got the goal they needed in the 63rd minute when Musashi Okuyama drilled a fierce shot towards goal, but Lions midfielder, Isa Halim, put his body in the line of fire and managed to block off the shot.
The game ended with the goal from Fazrul Nawaz separating the both sides.
Singapore’s midfield general, Mustafic Fahrudin spoke after the game, “It was a good match to prepare for the next two matches against Jordan and China. Everybody got a chance to play and the new boy, Firdaus (Idros), looked really sharp. He seemed to be a step quicker than everyone else on the pitch and that is good news for the team.”
Singapore Starting Line-up: Lionel Lewis (Hyrulnizam Juma’at 45’), Sevki Sha’ban, Ismail Yunos, Shaiful Esah (Delwinder Singh 45'), Juma’at Jantan, Fahrudin Mustafic, Shi Jiayi, Noh Rahman (C), Fazrul Nawaz (Patrick Paranjody 60'), Shahril Ishak (C) (Firdaus Idros 45’), Aleksandar Duric (Hafiz Rahim 52’)
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