Singapore: Singapore saw off the challenge of a resilient Malaysia as the Lions defeated their arch-rivals 5-3 in a thrilling first-leg of their 2014 FIFA World Cup second round qualifier on Saturday.
Malaysia opened the scoring barely a minute after Bahrain referee Nawaf Shukralla had whistled for kick-off when Safa Sali swept the ball home on the second time of asking after Singapore keeper Izwan Mahbud had blocked the Pelita Jaya’s first shot.
Singapore weren’t behind for long, with veteran striker Aleksandar Duric flicking home a sixth minute free-kick before the Lions took the lead in the 22nd minute courtesy of Qiu Li.
And again it was a set-piece that was Malaysia’s undoing with the 30-year-old Home United attacker curling in a sweetly-struck free-kick that left Malaysian keeper Sharbinee Ramli rooted to the spot.
Fahrudin Mustafic made it 3-1 a minute from the break before Shi Jia Yi extended Singapore’s advantage when the unmarked midfielder connected with Duric’s cross from the right.
Malaysia’s hopes of getting back into the match were dealt a massive blow when frustration got the better of skipper Safiq Rahim was shown a straight red for a studs-up challenge on Hariss Harunfive minutes into the second-half.
However, parity in personnel was soon restored when Singapore’s Ismail Yunos Ismail was sent off for a second bookable offence just five minutes later.
The extra room on the Jalan Besar Stadium pitch seemed to suit the Malaysians more and the Tigers soon clawed their way back to within one goal of their opponents.
Safuwan Baharudin set up Abdul Hadi Yahya to make it 4-2 in the 70th minute before Safa Salee his second and Malaysia’s third with a deflected effort just 60 seconds later.
The visitors were on the ascendency but Duric, who had an earlier effort ruled out for offside, also bagged a brace, scoring his second and Singapore’s fifth to ensure the Lions take a two-goal cushion to Kuala Lumpur for the eagerly anticipated second leg on July 28.
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