STEWART SIBLINGS HOPE TO ROAR AGAIN

Ryhan, Harhys looking to reprise chemistry against China, as they dream of Europe

- Deepanraj Ganesan

As the weary Lions trudged back into the changing room at halftime, with the scoreboard reading Singapore O China 2, coach Tsutomu Ogura sought a game-changing spark to salvage a result.

In a surprising move, Ogura, who was making his bow as the Lions' tamer, turned to rookie Harhys Stewart.

Despite his tender age, the 22-year-old rose to the occasion and turned in a performance to remember on his Lions debut on March 21, belying his lack of international experience.

The defensive midfielder's energetic display in the middle of the park, coupled with his older brother Ryhan's industry down the right, helped the 156th-ranked Singapore fight back to draw 2-2 with world No. 88 China in the World Cup qualifier.

It was the Lions' first point after three Group C matches.

With the Chinese seeking revenge on home soil in the March 26 return match in Tianjin, where the temperature at kick-off is expected to be around 8 deg C, Ogura will be hoping that the Stewart brothers can turn up the heat again.