Date:
Tue, 15 Nov 2011 
The Chinese got the match started at a quick pace as they credited the first shot of the match to themselves, with just 45 seconds on the clock.
Singapore responded through Fazrul Nawaz in the fifth minute after he received a defence-splitting pass from captain Shahril Ishak. But China’s goalkeeper, Yang Zhi collected the ball calmly.
In the 32nd minute, Singapore introduced Sevki Sha’ban into the match replacing Shaiful Eash in defence. With the change in tactics, Singapore almost broke the deadlock in the 36th minute when Firdaus Idros dummied his marker at the halfway line and broke free down the left flank. However, the resulting pass did not meet its target, Aleksandar Duric as China kept him on a tight leash.
China then got its first goal in the 42nd minute through Yu Hai after a brilliant display of passes in the Singapore penalty box.
The first half came to an end with China in the lead, leaving Singapore with a tough battle to fight in the next 45 minutes.
China returned in the second half stronger and almost got its second goal through Yu Hai again. The Lions’ custodian, Lionel Lewis was on hand to save the low shot and kept his team in the game.
Singapore almost had a game changing moment when Duric’s shot hit the bar in the 53rd minute after a beautiful build-up by Singapore.
China got its second goal I in the 56th minute from a corner that found their captain, Li Weifeng’s head. Being two goals down, The Lions did not give up as they strived further to bring the game back on level terms.
Lionel singlehandedly kept Singapore in the game as he made two important interceptions within a space of five minutes.
Duric turned provider in the 66th minute when he found Firdaus in the penalty box with his cross from the left wing. But Firdaus was not able to beat the Chinese goalkeeper with his low shot.
China’s Huang Bowen was given his marching orders in the 67th minute after he punched Singapore’s Mustafic Fahrudin in the chest after a tussle between the both of them.
With just ten men on the pitch, China still managed to extend their lead with two goals from Zeng Cheng in the 73rd and 81 minute respectively.
The Lions tried all they could to come back in the match but were not able to reduce the deficit as China’s defensive unit had a good day in the office.
The match then ended with the scoreboard, reading Singapore 0-4 China PR.
Football Association of Singapore President, Mr Zainudin Nordin who was at the game gave his thoughts on the entire World Cup campaign including tonight’s match when he said: “Having qualified for the 3rd round of the FIFA World Cup Asian Zone Qualifiers for a second time in succession, it has given the boys another opportunity to play against top level opponents and enhance their experience and exposure at the highest level of Asian football.
“Whilst we showed the guts and determination needed to succeed at this level in our opening game against China in Kunming, this match highlighted some of our shortcomings and the lack of spirit in some of the players to compete at this level of Asian football. As a result, the overall performance of the team was affected and that is probably the reason why we could not contain Chinon our home ground.
“It is also important to note that there were some bright sparks across the pitch like Firdaus Idros who showed that despite his size, he can excel at the top level of international football while the likes of 41-year-old Aleksandar Duric and Daniel Bennett were fighting for every ball as they always do.
“It is also important to note that throughout this campaign, we have seen the next generation of Singapore’s footballers come through like Safuwan Baharudin and Izwan Mahbud. It is important to groom these youngsters and give them as much exposure at the top level of international football in order for them to grow into the future leaders of the national team.
“As much as we take pride in being in the 3rd Round of the World Cup for a second time, it is also time to evaluate what our shortcomings are and prepare the national team for the next major tournament in 2012, which is the AFF Suzuki Cup.
“With all the exciting initiatives in 2012, targeted to help us continue to grow and improve as a whole, we sincerely hope that the fans will continue to support Singapore football like how they have done so throughout this World Cup campaign. The players will go back out there and try their best but with the fans’ support, I am sure they will become an even stronger unit.”
Starting Line-up for Singapore: Firdaus Idros, Shaiful Esah (Sevki Sha’ban 32’), Noh Rahman, Shi Jiayi (Isa Halim 45’), Aleksandar Duric, Fazrul Nawaz, Mustafic Fahrudin, Daniel Bennett, Shahril Ishak (C) (Hafiz Rahim 72’), Lewis Lionel, Ismail Yunos
Starting Line-up for China PR: Zeng Cheng, Zhao Peng, Li Weifeng (C), Zhao Xuri, Hao Junmin, Liu Jianye, Huang Bowen, Gao Lin (Zhang Chengdong 83’), Chen Tao (Zheng Zhi 83’), Yu Hai (Yu Dabao 85’), Yang Zhi
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