Singapore header dooms PH booters

SINGAPORE—The Philippine U-23 team conceded a goal seconds before the halftime whistle and went on to drop a 1-0 decision to host Singapore Monday night in football’s opening match in the 28th Southeast Asian Games at the packed Jalan Besar Stadium.

Sheikh Abdul Hadi headed home a free kick by Safirul Sulaiman to decide the match that drew a sellout crowd, necessitated a massive security arrangement around the stadium and earned live spots on Channel News Asia and other local TV channels.

The Filipinos were not intimidated by the hoopla, though, as they stood their ground against the enemy’s relentless attack. They eventually came to grief as they failed to crack the Singapore defense as they moved the ball forward.

“We had more possessions but without a purpose,” said PH coach Marlon Maro during the postmatch press conference. “That’s why we adjusted and pushed the ball toward the opponent’s side.

“That was very unfortunate for our team,” added Maro of the lone Singapore goal.

He said the team played very well despite the outcome.

Goalie Florencio Badelic Jr., fended off at least three dangerous Singapore attempts on goal that had the partisan crowd roaring in delight.

Paolo Salenga made the first clear attempt for the Philippines in  the 15th minute but his 30-foot blast sailed over the cross bar.

Jaime Vicenzo Cheng’s close-range header on the counterattack also missed its mark late in the first half.

Overall, the Filipinos’ attempts came few and far between as they struggled to punch through the hyper active Singaporean defense.

Maro remained optimistic, though, of the team’s chances against Cambodia, the Azkals’ next opponent on Wednesday.

“The scoreline (against Singapore) doesn’t measure how good the team is, because in the SEA Games the emphasis is on winning,” said Maro. “But we will come back and learn from this experience.”