Singapore Exits FIFA ASEAN Cup After 6-0 Defeat To Malaysia

Singapore suffered its heaviest defeat under head coach Gavin Lee on Oct. 1, crashing out of the FIFA ASEAN Cup after a 6-0 drubbing by Causeway rivals Malaysia at the Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Bandung. The Straits Times reported that a hat-trick from Brazil-born striker Bergson, alongside goals from Stuart Wilkin, Paulo Josue, and Syahir Bashah, sealed the Lions’ worst loss to Malaysia at senior level since a matching 6-0 scoreline in 1978. The lopsided result left Singapore third in Group A with three points from three matches, following an opening 2-0 defeat to Indonesia and a 1-0 victory over Bangladesh. Channel NewsAsia noted that Malaysia finished level on points with Indonesia at the summit of Group A with seven points, but missed out on the final due to goal difference after Indonesia thrashed Bangladesh 9-2 in Jakarta. Match Progression at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium

Free Malaysia Today reported that Malaysia made a blistering start when South Korean referee Kim Jong-hyeok awarded a penalty after a video assistant referee review in the fourth minute. Singapore full-back Ryhan Stewart was judged to have pulled Fergus Tierney down inside the box, and Bergson calmly converted the spot-kick past goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud by shooting down the middle. Singapore responded in the 14th minute when Glenn Kweh flicked the ball through to Song Ui-young, but the midfielder fired straight at Malaysia custodian Ahmad Syihan Hazmi from point-blank range. Ahmad Syihan denied Kyoga Nakamura from outside the area six minutes later before Malaysia doubled their lead in the 26th minute. Manuel Hidalgo beat three Singapore defenders down the left before setting up Stuart Wilkin to tap home. Bergson added his second and Malaysia’s third in the 62nd minute by slotting home a loose ball squared across the box by Arif Aiman. Substitutes Paulo Josue and Syahir Bashah added goals in the 76th and 86th minutes respectively, before Bergson completed his hat-trick in stoppage time. Squad Changes and Reality Check Before the Asian Cup

The Football Association of Singapore detailed that the squad entered the do-or-die fixture following a 1-0 win over Bangladesh secured by Harhys Stewart’s header. Head coach Gavin Lee welcomed back experienced defender Safuwan Baharudin from suspension for the Bandung fixture, while Malaysia deployed a starting XI featuring nine naturalised or heritage players, including newly naturalised trio Bergson, Brad Tapp, and Manuel Hidalgo.

Gavin Lee

Malaysia head coach Tan Cheng Hoe expressed mixed emotions after the final whistle. Third-Place Play-off Fixtures on Oct. 5

Malaysia will face Vietnam in the Division 1 third-place play-off match on Oct. 5, while tournament hosts Indonesia advance to face Group B winners Thailand in the final on the same day, according to Channel NewsAsia. Singapore concluded their tournament campaign in third place in Group A.