A comeback 3-2 win over Myanmar has given Tsutomu Ogura not only his first international victory as Lions coach, but also plenty of food for thought, after his side needed a late rally to beat their rivals at the National Stadium on Nov 14.
While it ended a winless run that had stretched to four international games under the Japanese, it was a performance that also laid bare the Lions' dire need for improvement, with less than a month before the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Championship, also known as the Asean Mitsubishi Electric Cup.
The Lions had led 1-0 at the break, thanks to Hougang United winger Farhan Zulkifli's first international goal, but were guilty of missing several chances as well. After a sloppy start to the second half, they allowed Myanmar to wrest the lead with two goals in five minutes.
But strikes by substitutes Shawal Anuar (84th) and Naqiuddin Eunos (86th) gave the Lions supporters among the 6,061 fans much to cheer about.
Ogura admitted their shortcomings, saying: "In the beginning, we were not so bad but after we scored the goal, we stopped playing football. We must improve.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 15, 2024 من The Straits Times.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 15, 2024 من The Straits Times.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Hugh Jackman's alleged affair with actress Sutton Foster behind his divorce
Australian actor Hugh Jackman's rumored affair with American actress Sutton Foster was said to be the reason his 27-year marriage ended in divorce.
Actor John Krasinski is People magazine's 'sexiest man alive'
LOS ANGELES - American actor and director John Krasinski was named People magazine's \"sexiest man alive\" for 2024 on Nov 13, taking over the mantle from Grey's Anatomy (2005 to present) actor Patrick Dempsey.
Chef Kang returns for collab with Path restaurant
Shortly after closing his one-Michelin-starred restaurant Chef Kang's on Oct 10, chef Ang Song Kang - better known as Chef Kang - is back behind the stove.
NewJeans threaten to terminate contracts if conditions not met
K-pop girl group NewJeans sent a certification of contents on Nov 13 to their agency Ador, stating they would terminate their exclusive contracts if the agency did not address certain demands, including the return of former Ador chief executive Min Hee-jin.
Impressive soloists and enjoyable romp by re:Sound
If one thinks that classical music is old-fashioned, staid and boring, one just needs to attend the latest concert by re:Sound, Singapore's first professional chamber orchestra, for a serious rethink.
Gen Z It girl Emma Chamberlain is reconsidering her dream job
The American YouTube star has a coffee company, podcast and new collaboration with Warby Parker
SCENT of SUCCESS
Luxury brands are sniffing out opportunities in the booming fragrance market, as they go to heady lengths – even debuting AI-generated scents – to earn customer loyalty
Asian giants lose more ground with stalemate
Saudi Arabia had a goal disallowed in stoppage time as they ground out a 0-0 draw against Australia on Nov 14, a result that did neither side any favours in their bid to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
LIONS UNSATISFIED WITH WIN
They recognise flaws despite coming back to beat Myanmar 3-2 for Ogura's first win
Coote's welfare the priority amid new allegations
English football's referees body the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) said on Nov 13 that it was taking new allegations against David Coote \"very seriously\", while European football body Uefa said it had suspended the Premier League referee.
