Behind Izzati Rosni’s spark, Singapore ended its 2022 AFF Women’s Championship campaign with a hard-fought, drought-ending victory over Indonesia, 2-0, Tuesday evening at the Biñan Football Stadium in Laguna.
This is the first time the Lionesses end on the winning side after the final whistle in the tournament since the 2004 edition, which is, incidentally, a 1-0 win over Indonesia.
And the Singaporeans bagged the long-awaited win in the most dramatic fashion, as both goals came in both half’s additional time.
Both Indonesia and Singapore started well on their respective offensive rhythm in trying to break the deadlock as soon as possible. The latter had several chances to score against the Indonesian defense, but its shots went begging and its attack could not convert.
With four minutes added into the opening period, Singapore continued to make the most of its possession and was finally rewarded with an opening goal.
Lim Ying Xuan Venetia launched a long free-kick from the center of the park, forcing Fani to collect. The Indonesia keeper slipped without grabbing the ball, and Rosni capitalized on the defensive lapse with the go-ahead goal.
The second half was more of the same as neither team could get control of the game despite Indonesia having its chances at the Singaporean goal.
Singapore, though, buoyed by their slim advantage pushed for an insurance goal late in the period and finally got a well-deserved second just after the three-minute additional time for the period was flashed. Lila Tan Hui Ying took a shot and Indonesian defender Tia Darti tried to clear it, but instead, it went straight into the back of the net.
The Lionesses ended their campaign in fourth place in Group A with four points coming from a 1-1-3 win-loss record, putting Indonesia in last place with only a single point on a draw with Malaysia.
Singapore XI – Rosman (GK), Naszri, Ruhaizat, Abdullah, Tan, Rosni, Sazali, Ernie (C), Hamdan, Chu, Venetia
Indonesia XI – Fani (GK), Safitri, Ramadhani, Nurmalita, Furyzcha, Kartini (C), Maeisyaroh, Pattisarany, Septiawati, Sunaryo, Awi
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Catch the entire 2022 AFF Women’s Championship live on SMART Sports and Puso Pilipinas from July 4-18.
