Indonesia 1-0 Singapore: Controversy

Controversy
AFF Suzuki Cup - Indonesia 1-0 Singapore by FootballMania


Singapore emerged from their triumphant 3-0 victory against their Causeway rivals to face the Indonesian team, a team that has not beaten Singapore since 1997, until tonight. How so? Let's just say the referee was "very interesting", as Singapore coach Raddy Avramovic puts it. The Singapore boss, whose birthday falls tomorrow (Thursday), added that the referee "is funny in some way. From the start he was looking at our bench.” Call after call made against us, to which my fatigued grandfather suddenly had the energy to say in Mandarin, "Is he doing this for fun? That was a penalty!"

Singapore started off the game less aggressively than they did against the Tigers on Sunday, and a poor pass by Daniel Bennett in an attempt to give it back to Izwan Mahbud was stolen from the back and almost gave the Indonesians the lead. Then, in the 7th minute, Hariss Harun picked up his 2nd yellow card of the tournament, which puts him out of the game against Laos. He subsequently suffered an injury near the end of the first half,and was replaced by veteran Aleksandar Duric. As the match went on, it was eminent that the Lions were unable to create clear chances as compared to the Indonesians.

Then, the first controversy arrived when Sharil Ishak's great ball play allowed him to pass to Shi Jia Yi, who was brought down by the leg. However, the Bahraini referee called "play on" and refused to award the Lions a penalty. 2 minutes later, the Lions got a good chance when Baihakki's header fell into the path of captain Sharil Ishak. Sharil, however, shoots it way ove the bar, while the rain at the Bukit Jalil stadium pours down harder.

In the 21st minute, Indonesian defender Wahyudi Aryanto (#26) gets a good shot off, but it is pushed away comfortably by goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud for a corner. Free kicks were continuously given away to Singapore due to rash fouls by the Indonesian players, but the absence of Shaiful Esah spelled out how much they relied on him for free-kicks. Shi Jia Yi took his place as the free-kick taker for most of the match, but his deliveries were disappointing and he could not find his teammates. His partner in midfield, Mustafic Fahrudin, was quck in picking up the loose passes. 1 minute from the end of the 1st half, an Indonesian defender made a reckless tackle on Shi, but was lucky not to get a card from the referee.

After the break, the Indonesians came out even stronger. Sharil Ishak was knocked down by defender Wahyu in the 52nd minute, but the referee keeps Wahyu in the game and does not give him a second yellow card. Indonesian then attacked and attacked, with the short Andik (#10), who cam on as a substitute, floated a free kick into the penalty area. Luckily for the Lions, Baihakki was there to keep it away from danger and headed it out. 4 minutes later, Okto Maniani was given his first yellow cardfor blocking Singapore's attempt to take a quick free kick. Frustration in the Singapore camp saw Baihakki put his hand onto the ball and drag Indonesian goalkeeper back after he had saved the ball. Goalkeeper Wahyu Tri reacted fiercely, while Baihakki was rightfully booked for his act. It was great to see the referee make a good call, after all, we thought it was never possible he would.

Moments after that, Irwan Shah was sent off after being awarded his 2nd yellow card fo a late tackle on Andik, to thin the already weak Singapore backline. Pressure was piled on the Lions, while the Indonesians continued dominating he second half. A few nerve-racking chances for Indonesia appeared but Izwan Mahbud just managesto get his hand on them and the Lions were lucky.

Then came the referee's dubious decision. Duric nodded the ball well into the path of Khairul Amri after an Izwan Mahbud galkick. Amri controlled the ball well but was brought down by an Indonesian defender in the penalty area. The defender had clipped Amri's legs before he touched the ball but the referee continued his act and did not award Singapore the penalty, and punishes Amri with a card instead. 1 to 2 minutes later, Raddy Avramovic brought on Qiu Li in place of Ari, while Indonesia coach Nil Maizar replaces Okto with the slender Rasyid Assahid.

The clock went up, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80. Then the big chance came. Qiu Li's terrific cross into the Indonesia penalty area weaves it's way towards Duric, whose tall frame gave him the advantage over his markers. Just as he headed the ball, the moment came. There it was. That was the moment. We will score. 1-0 Singapore! Unfortunately, the ball just HAD to hit the crossbar, and things for Singapore went into a downward spiral from then on.

In the 87th minute, Indonesia caught Izwan Mahbud off his goal-line and Andik converted the free-kick with precious time ticking. 5 minutes of extra time was added, but the Lions tried and tried to score in vain. The birthday present, which the Lions seemed so sure of getting for their coach, just diminished before them. But let's not lose hope. Let us keep our faith, for there is still Saturday, when the Lions face Laos. A win will all but book them a place in the semi-final.