Singapore crash out of AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup after 4-1 defeat by Malaysia

SINGAPORE: Needing to avoid defeat to progress to the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Mitsubishi Electric Cup semi-finals, Singapore sunk to a 4-1 loss at the hands of Causeway rivals Malaysia on Tuesday (Jan 3).

At the Bukit Jalil stadium in Kuala Lumpur, a first-half header from Darren Lok and a second-half Stuart Wilkin double put the Tigers comfortably ahead, before a late goal from substitute Faris Ramli reduced arrears.

But an 88th-minute Sergio Aguero strike would seal the win and Malaysia's qualification at the expense of Singapore.

Takayuki Nishigaya’s men went into the game knowing that a draw or a win would see them enter the semi-finals of the tournament.

The Lions began their campaign with a closely contested 3-2 victory over Myanmar and followed that up with a 2-0 victory away to Laos. A 0-0 stalemate against Vietnam at the Jalan Besar stadium on Friday then kept them in good stead to make the semis for the second consecutive tournament.

Singapore were one point ahead of Malaysia, who edged Myanmar 1-0 in their opening game, before thrashing Laos 5-0. However, a 3-0 loss to Vietnam left Malaysia with all to do against Singapore.

And the Tigers took the game to their opponents from the opening whistle on Tuesday.

Buoyed by their characteristically raucous home crowd, Malaysia were quick off the blocks early, with the tricky Lok threatening to get in behind the Singapore rearguard.

Singapore custodian Hassan Sunny was called into action early on as he thwarted a darting run from Faisal Halim, before smothering a shot from Malaysian fullback Ruventhiran Vengadesan.

The Lions' first chance fell the way of Irfan Fandi, with the defender on the end of a Christopher Van Huizen cross in the 11th minute. But the 25-year-old