Football
ESPN staff 9y

Singapore win 4-2 against Myanmar to set up final day scramble

Co-hosts Singapore got their AFF Suzuki Cup title defence back on track with a 4-2 victory over Myanmar at the new National stadium on Wednesday night.

But after racing to a 3-0 lead at halftime, they had to survive a second half comeback, masterminded by their former coach Radojko Avramovic.

Earlier, Bernd Stange's side responded in impressive fashion after losing their opening game against Thailand three days earlier. They began brightly, despite having to deal with the loss in the first half of two players through injury -- Shahdan Sulaiman and Ismadi Mukhtar -- under the roof at the Sports Hub.

The Lions will face Malaysia in their final group game on Saturday, knowing that a draw will be enough to take through to the semifinals as they chase their record fifth AFF title.

Singapore took the lead in the 15th minute after Shaiful Esah scored his third international goal. His swinging, left footed free kick missed everyone and beat Myanmar goalkeeper Thiha Si Sithu to give Singapore a 1-0 lead.

The second goal was a beauty scored by midfielder Harris Harun who chested the ball down and then unleashed a powerful volley in the 36th minute to put Singapore in control after Faris Ramli' s initial shot was parried.

Seven minutes later Harris almost put the game out of reach for Myanmar by completing his brace as he bundled in a Shaiful Esah corner after a goal mouth melee. It meant that Serbian-born Avramovic, who won three AFF titles as coach of Singapore, was staring at a 3-0 scoreline against him at the break.

But Myanmar came out a different team in the second half. After Zayar Win Kyaw pulled one back in the 55th minute, talismanic striker Kyaw Ko Ko converted from the penalty spot in the 61st minute to make it 3-2.

Avramovic's side were pressing Singapore and making life uncomfortable for the reigning Suzuki Cup champions.

But an own goal by Myanmar's Khin Maung Lwin in the 75th eased the nerves of the home crowd. Another excellent set piece from Shaiful Esah caused confusion in the box before the ball deflected off the unfortunate Khin Maung Lwin.

The result leaves Singapore second in Group B on three points, behind Thailand on six, with both Myanmar and Malaysia on one point each. All three lower teams have a chance of advancing to the semifinals, along with Thailand, going into the final group games on Saturday. Apart from Singapore's duel with Malaysia, Myanmar will face Thailand.

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