Singapore U-16 girls bounce back with improved performance against Hong Kong in Lion City Cup

Striker Nur Ain Salleh volleying home Singapore's first goal in their 2-0 win over Hong Kong in the Lion City Cup at Jalan Besar Stadium on July 10.

SINGAPORE – After a 9-0 thrashing by South Korea in their opening game, Singapore’s Under-16 girls bounced back with a timely victory over Hong Kong in the Lion City Cup (LCC), prevailing 2-0 at the Jalan Besar Stadium on July 10.

Battle-hardened after their defeat on July 8, the hosts put in a much-improved performance. They showed tenacity in their tackling and were more cohesive in the final third, an area in which they did not spend much time against the Koreans.

Singapore U-16 girls’ coach Yeong Sheau Shyan said: “The way that we play in this match makes it so much easier for us because they (the players) understand their roles, and that allowed the team to settle into how we wanted to play much faster offensively.

“Our players are very focused on trying to improve themselves using this tournament (and) they are thinking more as a team.”

Singapore started on the front foot and took the lead after just four minutes. Striker Nur Ain Salleh struck a volley that squeezed under Hong Kong goalkeeper Chan Tsz Yiu for the Republic’s first goal in the competition.

Ain credited the fans for doing a great job supporting them, adding: “My relatives were here to support me. I felt like it was a big difference because their presence motivated me to do them proud.”

The 15-year-old, who is currently with Spanish club Madrid CFF’s youth team under the Unleash The Roar! overseas football scholarship, said she had benefited from the “more physical” training.

The hosts were nearly rewarded for their efforts again in the 20th minute. Ain followed up some good play by spraying the ball out to midfielder Verona Lim, whose shot found Tsz Yiu’s gloves, in what ended up as a comfortable save.

In an attempt to turn the tide, Hong Kong coach Chan Shuk Chi made two substitutions just before the half-hour mark, injecting fresh energy into the team and limiting Singapore’s chances heading into the break.

After a host of half-time substitutions from both sides, Singapore extended their lead in the 58th minute in breathtaking fashion. Verona cut inside from the left wing and the 15-year-old unleashed an unstoppable curler from outside the box that caressed the back of the Hong Kong net.

They nearly scored a third goal 12 minutes from full time. Substitute Risya Rizqyqa fired a low shot with her left foot that was saved well by Tsz Yiu, who endured a tough outing in goal.

Chan admitted her team “did not perform well” and suggested the hot weather might have played a part, saying: “They are young and don’t have this experience, so we need to improve. They did not perform well today but tried their best.”

In the day’s earlier kick-off, South Korea continued their rampant form with an emphatic 12-0 victory over Cambodia, who remain winless after two games. The Koreans, who top the group on six points, need just a draw against Hong Kong in their final game on June 12 to be crowned champions. Singapore, who are third, will meet bottom-placed Cambodia on the same day.

Yeong said the team will be trying to recover from the gruelling schedule, adding: “It (the win) has given us the confidence that we can attack, so that will bring us forward to Cambodia. We cannot allow ourselves to relax because Cambodia can lead us if we are too complacent.”

Singapore’s U-16 boys will resume their campaign on July 11 against Cambodia as they seek to put things right after losing to the Philippines in their first game.

All matches are played at the Jalan Besar Stadium with Singapore’s games kicking off at 8pm.

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