Sundram rues what might have been
As Singapore mull a second successive failed AFF Suzuki Cup campaign, the statistics hardly make for good reading.
The Lions return home later this evening from Manila, having scored only one goal and picked up just one point, finishing bottom of Group A.
The Football Association of Singapore will shortly begin its post-mortem of the tournament, but a section of local fans are already pointing the finger at coach V Sundramoorthy's approach.
Over the last 10 days, the 51-year-old has been criticised for what his detractors have labelled negative football.
Before last night's game, Sundram had praised his side for playing "tactically clever".
But two moments of ball watching in defence allowed Indonesia to post a come-from-behind 2-1 win and send the Lions home early.
Sundram, who has forged a reputation for being a stickler for preparation, organisation and discipline, said the way the goals were conceded was hard to take.
"It hurts," said the coach. "Indonesia put on second attacker (striker Ferdinand Sinaga in the 58th minute), and we still coped well with our two central defenders. We were coping well until the cross and the late runs...
"We can defend well as a unit and could have preserved our lead."
In the first match against hosts Philippines, the Lions morphed into a disciplined 4-4-1 formation after winger Hafiz Abu Sujad's red card in the 34th minute. They managed to hang on to a 0-0 draw.
In the second match against a talented Thailand team, Sundram set his men up to play an ultra-defensive game and break on the counter-attack.
Singapore carved out three good chances while limiting their opponents, but were sunk by an 89th-minute goal.
Sundram still believes his team are not as bad as the numbers suggest.
"Overall, I believe the boys have done well," he said.
"They fought until the last minute. On our day, we could have beaten Indonesia."
Indonesia coach Alfred Riedl said his side were good value for the win.
The 67-year-old Austrian had taken a swipe at Sundram's defensive approach on the eve of the game and, after last night's victory, he said: "We saw a special second half from our side.
"We conceded one goal from a throw in and we scored two nice goals to secure the win.
"I think we had the better team and deserved to win."
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