Lion City Cup football: Singapore U15 come from behind to beat Newcastle U15 4-3
That’s how long the Singapore U-15 boys needed to turn a 3-1 deficit into a 4-3 victory at the 23rd Lion City Cup. Newcastle led 2-1 at half time and when they scored their third goal to lead 3-1, it looked like game over. However, our local boys, clad in blue, scored twice in stoppage time to delight the strong, vocal and provocative home supporters.
Newcastle took the lead as early as the fourth minute and although Singapore equalized soon after, Newcastle made the most of their few chances to go up 3-1 just after the hour mark. However, the national U-15 side showed their character and determination to grab all three points in the end.
Singapore U15 LineupHeirul Suhanes (#1), Ehvin Sasidharan (#2), Mahathir Azeman (#3), Sadik Said (#4), R Aarvin (#5), Amirul Azmi (#6), Zulfadhmi Suzliman (#7), Muhelmy Suhaimi (#8), Irfan Iezran (#9), Adam Swandi (#10), Azhar Ramli (#11)
Newcastle U15 LineupSam Busby (#1), Liam Gibson (#3), Ben Drennan (#4), Benjamin Askins (#5), James Atkinson (#6), Greg Olley (#7), Jordan Storey (#8), Alex Gillead (#9), Adam Armstrong (#10), Dean Briggs (#11), Callum Roberts (#14)
“We are not surprised with the performance of the boys. As long as they play to their ability, they will do very well,” said Glusevic Dejan, coach of the Cubs.
It was a jittery start by the Singapore boys though. Although they showed that they were not afraid to get physical, it was clear that Newcastle were a handful for Aaravin’s (Singapore U15 #5) defense, as he admitted later after the match.
True enough, a harmless looking corner into the six yard box was fluffed by goalkeeper Heirul Suhanes (Singapore U15 #1) and James Atkinson (Newcastle U15 #6) scored the first goal of the match following a goal mouth scramble.
A lesser team would have folded but the Singapore boys remained calm and came up with an equalizer nine minutes later. A counter-attack by the home side was directed to Zulfadhmi Suzliman (Singapore U15 #7) on the right flank. Realizing that he was outnumbered, he smartly cut inside as he waited for his onrushing teammates. The play found its way to Azhar Ramli (Singapore U15 #11) whose curled shot agonizingly hit the right post. However, Zulfadhmi was on hand to volley home the rebound to complete the sweet move himself.
Heriul Suhanes recovered from his earlier mistake to make a couple of crucial saves, notably a one-on-one in the 20th minute, as the Cubs settled down.
Newcastle, playing a direct style of football, made full use of their physicality and their two forwards always looked dangerous when given time and space. A prime example came in the 31st minute when Aarvin was careless and got caught out at the back by Alex Gillead (Newcastle U15 #9). Gillead selflessly squared it for Adam Armstrong (Newcastle U15 #10) who made it 2-1 for Newcastle.
Singapore had more than their fair share of chances through Azhar Ramli but he couldn’t capitalize. Twice, he was put through one-on-one with the Newcastle keeper, and twice he missed. Read More
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