SINGAPORE: Agu Casmir bagged two goals as three-time champions Singapore completed their preparations for the AFF Suzuki Cup with a 4-0 win over qualifiers Laos on Friday.
The Nigeria-born striker, who scored six goals for the Lions in their victorious 2004 campaign, netted in the 56th and 85th minute at Jurong West Stadium after coming on as a half-time substitute to give his side an emphatic win.
Striker Noh Alam Shah had opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time while Fazrul Nawaz netted Singapore's other goal in the 80th minute.
Despite the heavy defeat, Laos, who won the AFF Suzuki Cup qualifying tournament on home soil in October, were positive in their approach with Keoviengphet Liththideth and Saynakhonevieng Phommapanya testing Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny before Alam Shah put the hosts ahead.
And Singapore coach Raddy Avramovic feels that there is still much room for improvement for his side, who will face defending champions Vietnam, Myanmar and qualifiers Philippines in Group B, which kicks off in Hanoi on December 2.
"Some players look like they wanted to show off and that was completely wrong," said the Serbian.
"Each time we lost possession, we didn't press our opponents, giving them time and space to pass the ball.
"I don't want to name names but the players themselves know it and that's more important."
With Hariss Harun ruled out with a fibula injury and fellow midfielders John Wilkinson and Shi Jiayi also missing the tournament, the Lions had a scare when Ridhuan Muhamad limped off with an ankle injury after only 10 minutes.
However, the injury does not appear to be serious and the Arema Malang player has been included in Singapore's 22-man squad for the AFF Suzuki Cup, which was finalised after the game.
Laos will head to Jakarta for their opening Group A match against three-time champions Thailand on Wednesday, December 1.
Singapore's AFF Suzuki Cup squad
Goalkeepers: Hassan Sunny, Lionel Lewis, Izwan Mahbud
Defenders: Daniel Bennett, Baihakki Khaizan, Juma'at Jantan, Rosman Sulaiman, Noh Rahman, Precious Emuejeraye, Afiq Yunos, Safuwan Baharudin
Midfielders: Ridhuan Muhamad, Isa Halim, Fazrul Nawaz, Masrezwan Masturi, Mustafic Fahrudin, Shahril Ishak, Shahdan Sulaiman
Forwards: Noh Alam Shah, Aleksandar Duric, Agu Casmir, Khairul Amri
Source - AFF Suzuki Cup
No comments:
Post a Comment