Singapore to take on Indonesia in AFF Suzuki Cup semi-final

Singapore will face Indonesia in the AFF Suzuki Cup semi-final, after the Garudas defeated Malaysia 4-1 on Sunday (Dec 19). 

The result meant that the Indonesians finished top of Group B, ahead of reigning champions Vietnam, who defeated Cambodia 4-0,  on goal difference. Vietnam, meanwhile, will face Group A winners Thailand in the semi-final. 

The Indonesians trailed after the 13th minute, with Kogileswaran Raj netting for the Malaysians. Faced with the prospect of crashing out of the group stages once again – especially after entering the match at the top of Group B – the Indonesians rallied and netted twice through Irfan Jaya to take a 2-1 lead into the break. 

Pratama Arhan smashed one into the roof of the net from just outside the box to make it 3-1 five minutes after the restart, before Elkan Baggott – making his first appearance of the tournament after finishing his quarantine – wrapped up victory eight minutes from time with a towering header. 

It’s the first time since 2010 that the Indonesians have topped their group in the AFF Suzuki Cup. 

In the other match, Vietnam showed their class against Cambodia, who had no answers to stopping the defending champions. 

Nguyen Tien Linh scored twice in the first half for the Golden Star Warriors, before Bui Tien Dung and Nguyen Quang Hai each netted a goal just three minutes apart in the second half to wrap up the win. 

Hosts Singapore may count their lucky stars as they avoided the top-ranked team in the AFF Suzuki Cup in the semi-finals. However, they will have to take on the Indonesians without key player Shakir Hamzah, who has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament. 

The left-back was stretched off early on in the game against Thailand on Saturday, and it has since been confirmed that he sustained injuries to his anterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament and meniscus of his right knee. 

Tickets for the AFF Suzuki Cup semi-finals have gone on sale, with Singapore fans able to purchase them at Kallang Wave Mall. The tickets can also be purchased online at the FAS website from Tuesday. 

Singapore will take on Indonesia in the two-legged semi-final on Dec 22 and Dec 25.