LIONS TO RISE TO GOA TEST

S'pore eager to redeem themselves in away tie after conceding late equaliser to India

- David Lee Senior Sports Correspondent

Singapore players (from left) Harhys Stewart, Ilhan Fandi, captain Hariss Harun and Jordan Emaviwe are downcast after 10-man India steal a point at the death in their Asian Cup qualifier at the National Stadium on Oct 9.

(ST PHOTO: ARIFFIN JAMAR)

The Lions are angry, frustrated, hurt and disappointed.

And understandably so, after the way they took the lead and dominated their Asian Cup qualifier against 10-man India who barely had a shot on target at the National Stadium on Oct 9, but came away with just a point after conceding a stoppage-time equaliser.

The Group C 1-1 draw is seen as a considerable setback to their dream of a maiden Asian Cup qualification ahead of their next match against the same opponents in Goa on Oct 14.

With their five points from three games - following a goalless home draw against Hong Kong in March and a 2-1 victory in Bangladesh in June - the Lions are second, two points behind Hong Kong, who took over top spot after winning 4-3 in Bangladesh on Oct 9.

Only the six group winners of the third round of qualifiers will join 18 other teams who have already advanced to the 2027 Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Singapore skipper Hariss Harun said: “It’s disappointing to concede towards the end of the game.

“We had control for most of the match, but it was our own undoing. We took our foot off the pedal, especially when they went down to 10 men when we should have gone on and seized the initiative. We had chances to put the game away, but you get punished when you don’t do that.