Reporting from Internet.
The home side which supposed to be played at Azerbaijan decided to play at Dubai according to FIFA. As early as the third minute of play, Singapore manage to get a corner from Azerbaijan. Shaiful Esah corner kick did not manage to create havoc as Azerbaijan defenders heads away the easily. Shaiful Esah cultured left has always provide a threat throughout the first half of the game. In the 15th minute, Aliyez of Azerbaijan manage to score as poor marking by Bennett runs Aliyez free, which all started from a good run from the right.
After the goal, Azerbaijan suddenly looks more dangerous attacking, attacking on the right more often to create trouble for the visitors. On the 20th minute, a great pass from Shahdan Sulaiman that fooled the midfielder, gets through to Fazrul Nawaz only to fall at the edge of the box. Shaiful Esah freekick disappoints fans as it goes straight into the wall. Azerbaijan counter attack quickly but Baihakki Khaizan manage to clear the ball back to Hassan Sunny.
Azerbaijan looking very dangerous from the right hand side as Azerbaijan poured men forward to double their lead. LionsXII off form striker manage to impress many as he managed to beat 2 players before registering a shot that was save tremendously by the custodian. In the 30th minute of play, a great vision from Shaiful Esah saw his defence-splitting pass get through two players to find Agu Casmir. With only the keeper to beat, Agu who has ready to shot finds himself offside. Singapore have a chance to get back into the game as Shaiful Esah whips a cross in the penalty box but it’s too far for Shahdan Sulaiman to chase it.
As soon as the second half kicks off, an error from Singapore right back Ruzaini Zainal almost cause Azerbaijan to scores. After a scramble of passes in the box, veteran defender Daniel Bennett managed to clear the ball to safety. Azerbaijan constant hassling on Singapore defences is worrying sign for the Raddy chargers. A loose ball founds Shahdan Sulaiman unmark and he’s not afraid to shot from distance as his thunderous shot goes to the top corner only to be tipped away superbly by the Azerbaijan goalkeeper.
The constants attacking treat from the Azerbaijan players prove dangerous as Baihakki Khaizan was judge to foul the Azerbaijan player at the edge of the box. Shukurov makes no mistake as his freekick curls past the reach of Hassan Sunny to make it 2-0 to Azerbaijan. Penalty to Singapore in the 70th minute as Qiu Li toppled in the penalty box. Shahril Ishak took the penalty twice, both of his strikes makes the keeper dive the wrong way as Singapore reduce the deficit.
In the dying moments of the game, Mustafic cross from the right founds Shahril Ishak, instead of shooting, he pass to Shahdan Sulaiman who make no mistake as he fired a powerful shot into the back of the net for the equaliser. That goal was literally the last kick of the game as Singapore managed to fight back from 2-0 down to draw with Azerbaijan the European country who ranks 39 places above Singapore. Full time score, Azerbaijan 2 Singapore 2.
Singapore next match will be against Iraq on Wednesday 29 February 2012. The game will be played in Doha, Qatar at Al Arabi Stadium. Kick off time @ 1645hrs (local time).
