If anything, the Singapore U23s’ victory over their Indonesian counterparts last night was a defiant stand to the country’s sporting critics.

I am exceptionally proud that a team of footballers from a country of 5 million people can defeat – and without help from ‘foreign talent’ – another from a country of 237 million.

And perhaps some people may strongly disagree, but I am extremely proud that even a miniscule crowd of about 900 die-hard Lions’ fans can taunt and heckle the Indonesian team to submission, confining them to their bench for at least 20 minutes after the final whistle as they wanted to avoid crowd trouble.

It might not have been the Jakmania at the Gelora Bung Karno, but we upset the visitors well enough.

I, as many Singapore faithful were, was fairly jittery before the game.

We had heard that Indonesia had dominated a Malaysia team that we crumbled to, and perhaps even Raddy Avramovic was cautious enough – starting with a 4-5-1 with Fazli Ayob in the ‘hole’ behind lone striker Khairul Nizam.

Played in the blustery winds and a steady fall of rain, the opening 15 minutes though, showed that we would probably not be run over by the Garudas. Our attack showed considerable guile and promise, uncharacteristic of our U23s.

Fazli’s turn of pace in the 18th minute saw him earn a freekick some distance outside the box. Singapore skipper Hariss Harun, who again was excellent in midfield, showed his quick-thinking and technique, and sent in a precise shot over the unprepared Indonesian goalkeeper.

The Singapore defence though, was again far from solid, and there were decent openings for the visitors as well. Irwan Shah was cut like a cucumber by the Indonesian right winger, but his powerful shot was parried by Izwan Mahbud in goal.

Hariss was pulling the strings in midfield, ably assisted by Tampines Rovers’ starlet Firdaus Kasman, and almost created another opening for Fazli, but the keeper came out bravely to smother the ball away.

Gabby Quak also had a good game and showed a willingness to run at the opposition defenders. Just before half-time he waltzed past two players into the box, but his shot flashed across the goal and eventually out for a throw-in.

Early in the second half, Hariss clattered into Firdaus and the both of them lay in the technical area near the Singapore bench.

The Indonesians wanted to exploit the advantage – it was their throw-in – but referee Abas Daud stopped play.

This incensed the visitors who felt that with their opponents off the field, there was no reason to stop play since the Singapore midfielders were off the area of play.

Technically they were right, but perhaps the referee blew to prevent unsportsmanlike conduct, since a goal arising from the scenario would have drawn controversy.

Then, on the hour mark, Fazli decided to stamp his mark on the game, and perhaps, in the mind of Raddy ahead of the Games at the end of the year.

Receiving a pass from the left flank, the 19-year-old shifted his body to open up for a shot, and unleashed a stunner that found the keeper’s top left hand corner. Top drawer strike.

Two goals down and perhaps not threatening the Singapore goal as effectively as they would have liked, the Indonesians then embarked on a blatantly obvious plot to get the already-booked Irwan sent off.

First, they orchestrated a mass scuffle around the Young Lions’ left-back in the Singapore penalty box while waiting for a freekick. Raddy sensed this and was ready to send on Shaiful Esah.

Unfortunately, before the switch could be made, the Indonesians tangled again with Irwan, who got his second yellow and marching orders.

Two Indonesians got booked for the incident as well, and Quak was eventually sacrificed for Shaiful.

With Singapore content to defend a two-goal lead, the Indonesians were getting increasingly frustrated, and things boiled over with less than fifteen minutes remaining.

Fairoz Hasan was scythed down by the Indonesian number 9 Corneles Sergius Geddi, and the nearby Shaiful took issue with the challenge.

While the referee was trying to stop another mass scuffle, the Indonesian centre half Djayusman Triasdi, their number 2, came running over to the left flank and threw a fist at Shaiful, aiming a kick as well for good measure.

An Indonesian substitute warming up also wanted a piece of the action, and ran onto the pitch to push Shaiful in the back.

For their troubles, Shaiful, Corneles, and the unidentified Indonesian substitute got sent off.


The Indon sub who got sent off isn't the guy in red - that's their fitness coach. It's the next nearest guy.

There was still time for some late goalmouth drama though. Izwan had ventured off his line and missed the ball, and an Indonesian player shot straight down the middle at an open goal.

Safuwan Baharudin though, the centre-half who has started all three recent U23 friendlies, cleared off the line after positioning himself well.

As Abas blew the final whistle, a throng of Singapore die-hards (or Singamaniacs, if you will) went to the front, ready to hurl insults at the Indonesians. They were baying for Djayusman’s blood.

An Indonesian player, who was taunted as he walked towards the tunnel, showed his displeasure by looking towards the die-hards and spitting into the air.


Singamaniacs storming the front, and a tunnel being rolled up.

The majority of the fans did not want to leave without saying what they felt had to be said to the visitors, and the match officials had to create a cordon for the Indonesians, who were cooped up at their bench for their own safety – although I do not know from what.

The crowd finally dispersed when the Indonesian team bus parked itself near the track and the stadium lights were cut.

Nationalistic pride was in the air last night, and I am very, very sure I wasn’t the only one who felt it.