AFC 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier: Singapore Defeats Malaysia 5-3

In a match that saw eight goals being scored, Singapore overcame Malaysia 5-3 in the first leg of the 2014 FIFA World Cup Second Round Qualifier on Saturday at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore city.

The visitors drew the first blood in the first minute of the game when Safa Sali swept the ball home off a rebound after Singapore keeper Izwan Mahbud had blocked Pelita Jaya’s first shot. However Singapore drew level in the six minute, after veteran striker Aleksandar Duric scored off a brilliant free-kick to pose the match once again on a balance.

Team Singapore: Deserving victors

The Lions finally took the lead in the 22 minute of the game with Qiu Li curling in a sweetly-struck free-kick that left Malaysian keeper Sharbinee Ramli rooted to the spot. Just at the brink of the first half, Fahrudin Mustafic made it 3-1 before Shi Jia Yi pump in another one to go into the break 4-1.

Click Here for Complete Results of Asia 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier – Second Round, First Leg

Barely five minutes into the second half, Malaysia’s hope of making a comeback suffered a jolt, when Skipper Safiq Rahim was shown a straight red for a studs-up challenge on Hariss Harun. However the man advantage counted for nothing as five minutes later Singapore’s Ismail Yunos was sent off for a second bookable offence, thus making it all square.

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.

With just a goal down, Malaysia were desperate to get the equalizer and did create few chances but failed to convert them. It was eventually the home team, who scored another one through Duric to ensure the Lions take a two-goal cushion to Kuala Lumpur for the eagerly anticipated second leg on July 28.