Keo_86
08-12-2008, 02:16 AM
JAKARTA (7 Dec 2008) - Two-time defending champions Singapore and co-hosts Indonesia booked their places in the semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup with laboured victories in their second Group A matches on Sunday.
Singapore, who beat Cambodia 5-0 in their opener, were less than convincing in their 3-1 victory over an undisciplined Myanmar outfit who had goalkeeper Aung Aung Oo sent off after protesting the Lions’ third goal.
Indonesia impressed in their 3-0 opening win over Myanmar and were expected to steamroller their was past Cambodia but were forced to work hard for their 4-0 victory, with Budi Sudarsono grabbing the first hat-trick of the tournament.
The Indonesians failure to notch a fifth goal means Singapore go into their clash on December 9 equal on goal difference but having scored one more goal than the co-hosts and will need only a draw to top Group A.
With Thailand firm favourites to win Group B after their opening 2-0 win over Vietnam, Indonesia face the daunting prospect of meeting the three-time champions in the last four if they cannot beat Singapore in their final group game.
Noh Alam Shah, back in the international fold after serving a seven-month ban for violent conduct in the 2007 Singapore Cup final, gave Singapore the perfect start against Myanmar with a headed goal within the first minute.
Nigerian-born Agu Casmir, scorer of two goals against Cambodia, increased their advantage in the 16th minute but Singapore failed to build on the lead and Myanmar pulled one back through Myo Min Tun in the 28th minute.
Myanmar, who were disappointing in their loss to Indonesia, pressed forward after the break and had their chances to grab the equaliser.
But Singapore sealed the game and a semi-final spot when Casmir scored his second goal of the night and fourth of the tournament after a quick free kick had caught Myanmar napping. The keeper was furious that Singapore were allowed to take a speedy free kick and his protest earned him a red card.
The win extended Singapore’s unbeaten streak in the tournament to 19 games, 17 of them under coach Radojko Avramovic. They suffered their last defeat against Malaysia on December 18, 2002 when they conceded four goals at home. Depending on how the results go in Group B, Malaysia could be their semi-final opponents this time around.
Indonesia lacked intensity and incisiveness for long periods of the game against a spirited Cambodian team that defended in numbers and mounted a couple of slick counter attacks.
Young Cambodian keeper Samreth Seiha was in tremendous form and denied Indonesia on several occasions with outstanding saves.
But the quicksilver Budi Sudarsono, who scored in the opening win over Myanmar, beat the agile goalkeeper on three occasions for a well-deserved hat-trick and Bambang Pamungkas powered home a header for his second goal of the competition.
Singapore, who beat Cambodia 5-0 in their opener, were less than convincing in their 3-1 victory over an undisciplined Myanmar outfit who had goalkeeper Aung Aung Oo sent off after protesting the Lions’ third goal.
Indonesia impressed in their 3-0 opening win over Myanmar and were expected to steamroller their was past Cambodia but were forced to work hard for their 4-0 victory, with Budi Sudarsono grabbing the first hat-trick of the tournament.
The Indonesians failure to notch a fifth goal means Singapore go into their clash on December 9 equal on goal difference but having scored one more goal than the co-hosts and will need only a draw to top Group A.
With Thailand firm favourites to win Group B after their opening 2-0 win over Vietnam, Indonesia face the daunting prospect of meeting the three-time champions in the last four if they cannot beat Singapore in their final group game.
Noh Alam Shah, back in the international fold after serving a seven-month ban for violent conduct in the 2007 Singapore Cup final, gave Singapore the perfect start against Myanmar with a headed goal within the first minute.
Nigerian-born Agu Casmir, scorer of two goals against Cambodia, increased their advantage in the 16th minute but Singapore failed to build on the lead and Myanmar pulled one back through Myo Min Tun in the 28th minute.
Myanmar, who were disappointing in their loss to Indonesia, pressed forward after the break and had their chances to grab the equaliser.
But Singapore sealed the game and a semi-final spot when Casmir scored his second goal of the night and fourth of the tournament after a quick free kick had caught Myanmar napping. The keeper was furious that Singapore were allowed to take a speedy free kick and his protest earned him a red card.
The win extended Singapore’s unbeaten streak in the tournament to 19 games, 17 of them under coach Radojko Avramovic. They suffered their last defeat against Malaysia on December 18, 2002 when they conceded four goals at home. Depending on how the results go in Group B, Malaysia could be their semi-final opponents this time around.
Indonesia lacked intensity and incisiveness for long periods of the game against a spirited Cambodian team that defended in numbers and mounted a couple of slick counter attacks.
Young Cambodian keeper Samreth Seiha was in tremendous form and denied Indonesia on several occasions with outstanding saves.
But the quicksilver Budi Sudarsono, who scored in the opening win over Myanmar, beat the agile goalkeeper on three occasions for a well-deserved hat-trick and Bambang Pamungkas powered home a header for his second goal of the competition.