Singapore open AFF Suzuki Cup 2020 campaign with 3-0 win over Myanmar

Singapore kicked off their AFF Suzuki Cup campaign with a resounding 3-0 victory over Myanmar in their opening Group A fixture. 

The victory in front of the boisterous 7,588 fans at the National Stadium was the ideal start to the biennial regional tournament where Singapore will look to add to their four Suzuki Cup titles. 

After a nervy opening half an hour, Singapore opened the scoring through a towering Safuwan Baharudin header from a corner by Shadan Sulaiman in the 34th minute. 

Norway-based Ikhsan Fandi then netted a brace to give Singapore a three-goal lead in the first half. His first was a clinical strike following a quick counter attack in the 39th minute, and his second was a pinpoint header from another Shahdan delivery on the stroke of half-time..  

Singapore took their foot off the gas and was culpable of being slightly complacent in the second half with loose passes, giving possession up cheaply.

Singapore keeper Hassan Sunny was also kept busy after the break,  forced into making a couple saves to preserve his clean sheet. 

While the goalscorers will receive the headlines, it was an all-round dynamic competitive debut to remember for Song Uiyong, who became the first naturalised footballer to represent Singapore in the AFF Suzuki Cup since 2016. The 28-year-old brought physicality to the Singapore midfield with his tireless darting runs through opposition lines and his eye for the breakthrough pass. 

Following Thailand’s 2-0 victory over Timor Leste earlier in the day, Singapore’s victory meant that the Lions top Group A on goal difference. 

Singapore are next in action on Dec 8 at the National Stadium, where they face the Philippines.