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Lions struggle before bench players make impact in win over lowly Timor-Leste

- David Lee

The Lions had their reserves to thank on Dec 14, when they maintained their perfect start to their 2024 Asean Championship campaign as they overcame minnows Timor-Leste 3-0 at the Hang Day Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Japan-born playmaker Kyoga Nakamura scored his first goal in his fourth appearance for his adopted country when he kept his nerve to slot in a 76th-minute penalty to his left and send Junildo Pereira the wrong way.

The spot kick was confirmed following a video assistant referee check, after Olagar Xavier was adjudged to have pushed substitute Shawal Anuar in the box.

Shawal then kept up his rich vein of form with a late brace to take his tally to 16 goals in 39 international appearances.

Again it was the bench players who made the difference, as he tucked away Safuwan Baharudin's cross in the 83rd minute, before he tapped in seven minutes later after fellow substitutes Jordan Emaviwe and Farhan Zulkifli combined to create the opening.