Singapore Derita Controversial Defeat Against Vietnam In The 2024 AFF Cup Leg 1 Semifinals

Singapore lost Vietnam in the semifinals of the first leg of the 2024 AFF Cup (doc. FA Singapore).

JAKARTA - Singapore lost controversially in the semifinals of the first leg of the 2024 AFF Cup against Vietnam with a score of 0-2 at Jalan Besar Stadium, Kallang, Thursday, December 26, 2024.

Vietnam's two goals were scored in a span of three minutes in the second half injury time.

Disappointment of 5,233 Singaporean supporters who come directly to the stadium is increasing if they see how South Korean referee Kim Woo-sung leads the match.

Singapore actually had the opportunity to take the lead in the 80th minute. Faris Ramli was fouled by Ho Tan Tai in the penalty box.

However, the judge actually continued the match and remained in his decision after the VAR review.

Three minutes later, Kim Woo-sung also annulled Vietnam's goal through Nguyen Xuan Son because he was considered a handball first before firing a volley.

Until finally Vietnam got a penalty in the second half injury time, to be precise in the 101st minute. The decision also received protests from Singaporeans because Shakir Hamzah fell after colliding with goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud.

However, the referee remained with his decision without heeding VAR checks.

Nguyen Tien Linh finally managed to execute a penalty, before Xuan Son scored Vietnam's second goal three minutes later.

Despite being disappointed with the controversial match, Singapore coach Tsutomu Ogura prefers to accept the result.

He prefers to focus on facing the second leg at Vietnam headquarters, Viet Tri Stadium, on December 29, 2024.

"Football is like this. Until the last minute (of 90) the position was 0-0, but in time (added) we (conceded) two goals."

"I always tell the players that football is not just 90 minutes. It's more than 90 minutes."

"We had some chances we missed, especially in the second half. In football, this usually means penalties are coming."

"In fact, if we conceded a penalty, we don't need to concede another goal. That's our fault," Ogura said after the match.

Ogura further ruled out a real disappointment because he lost at the end of the match. Instead, he saw that there were several positive things that could be drawn from the appearance of his team.

One of them was the action of Taufik Suparno who almost broke the deadlock for Singapore in the 68th minute if Nguyen Dinh Trieu did not make a brilliant save.

Moments earlier, a quick counter-attack after snatching the ball in midfield made Shawal Anuar deftly finish using Hami Syahin's through ball, but stuck offside.

Such moments provide a glimpse into how things are still not over for Lions as they travel to Vietnam.

"There were some good moments when we weren't afraid to pass the ball. I kept telling them to pass, that they had time, to move the ball to the side. We showed that we could play our football."

"Now, it's about how many minutes in 90 minutes we can play this football. For us, it's still a problem."

"Now we have to recover mentally. I always tell the players this (first leg) is over."

"The result is 0-2, but 0-2 is a dangerous score. It's the same around the world. We've seen when the team leads 2-0, bad things happen in the second half."

"If we make it 2-1, who knows what could happen? This is the mentality we have to have," said Ogura again.

There is still an opportunity for Singapore to advance to the AFF Cup final for the first time since the 2012 edition.

Meanwhile, in the other semifinals there was a match between Thailand vs the Philippines. The first leg was held at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, The Azkals headquarters, on Friday, December 27, 2024. Then, the next meeting was held at the Rajamangala Stadium on December 30, 2024.