AFF Suzuki Cup Preview: Singapore vs. Philippines

SINGAPORE — The 1st leg of the Suzuki Cup 2012 between Philippines and Singapore showed me exactly what I thought would happen. It played out to a draw 0 – 0 but it was the performances of the players that caught my eye.

Especially some of the players that I mentioned in my preview for the game and a few new pretenders that stood up for their respective countries.

 I thought that the first half of the game belonged to Singapore. They played attacking and expansive football and created enough chances to win the game.

However credit needs to go to the Azkals as they came out the 2nd half and really showed the spirit that they needed to, to make sure the game will go all the way down to the wire and the 2nd leg this week.

For me, Singapore’s tactics were apparent straight from the off. They pulled Alexander Duric out into a wide position to try and isolate Carlos De Murga so that Singapore could get runners going forwards and in behind the Azkals defense.

Whilst this was effective in the opening 30 minutes, you have to say that the Philippines started to get to grips with that and then closed ranks so that it wasn’t so easy for the Lions to use that attacking threat.

The inclusion of Isa Halim and the return of Khairul Amri did help Singapore’s cause, but once again when the Azkal got to grips with the game, the runners that they used to go forwards made it very tough for Singapore to get any real momentum going.

Sharil Ishak had the best opportunity of the game and should really have scored in that 1st half but I do believe that the Philippines created enough in the 2nd half to pose a question or 2 for Singapore in the upcoming 2nd leg.

For me, the performance of the back 4 was the key to the Azkals keeping a clean sheet. The midfield was stout, but not expansive, but the credit has to go to Rob Gier and Juan Guirado who were rock solid at the back and kept the attacking force of Singapore at bay.

Ed Scapanio’s performance also needs to be mentioned, as the keeper didn’t put a foot wrong for the 90 minutes. Once again upfront, the Younghusband’s performances were not sparkling but they were steady.

I do need to mention at this point Angel Guirado and say how disappointed I am with him. Not for his performance, I would have to say that I would give him full marks for his contribution to the team, but as he plies his trade overseas and has had a different culture instilled in him, I am very disappointed to see that he spent more time diving and feigning injury than playing and getting on with the game.

The boy has talent, there is no question of that and I do like the way that he plays, but the constant rolling around on the floor and the constant gestating to the officials (asking for yellow cards to be shown to opponents) is nothing short of embarrassing.

Guirado is there to do a job as is the referee so he should just eliminate this from his game to become a true star of South East Asian football.

As for the 2nd leg, I do think that even though the score line is 0 – 0, it is advantage Singapore. This is for a couple of reasons. I have heard from my sources that the Azkals foreign brigade found the conditions very hard and the humidity took a lot out of their players.

They were complaining that there was no air and this is something that the local South East Asian players are used to. Add into this the Astroturf pitch that Singapore play on, these are the 2 main factors that I see being an issue and will give the advantage to the Lions.

8 of the starting lineup for Singapore in the 1st leg played in the Malaysian league last season for the Lions Xii and the Jalan Besar stadium was their home field. This along with 8,000 mad Singaporean fans will have to see the Azkals come through their toughest ever test in this competition.

The keeper Sacapano will need to be in great form as well as Angel Guirado. He can hold the key to the Philippines going through but as I mentioned before he needs to cut out the silly antics that he has at the moment. I must mention Patrick Reichelt at this point.

The 2nd half he ripped Daniel Bennett apart and Bennett will be walking on thin ice as he picked up a yellow card in the 2nd half of the 1st game. The young Reichelt has pace to burn and this could be a way to unlock the defense of Singapore.

He will need Phil Younghusband to start firing on all cylinders and getting into the box as just 1 goal could be enough for the Azkals to go through.

Jason De Jong had an aweful game in the 1st leg and owes the manager a game so if he plays, I’m expecting him to star in midfield to readdress the balance of a poor performance in the 1st game.

Singapore will be solid at home. That’s for sure. And in Saufwan Baharudin they have a player and a solid defender that has got better and better as the season went on and now this tournament has impressed.

He has formed a good partnership with Bhaiakki Khaizan and I think that these 2 could be crucial in this game. I don’t think that Raddy Avramovic will change to many personal for this game, but as always, Sharil Ishak the joint leading goalscorer in this competition will be key for the Lions success.

At the time of writing, I don’t know the extent of the injury to Khairul Amri as the Lions will need his endeavor upfront if the Lions are to win this. Shaiful Esah didn’t play like he did when he came on against Laos and his service and delivery from the left hand side is key to getting the Lions to score, he will need to step up in this one as well.

So much to say and so little time, so I finish by saying with home advantage, a plastic pitch, humidity at 100%, 8,000 local fans behind them and a slew of missed chances in the 1st leg I have to slightly lean towards the home side.

I do think it will be tight and I do think that the Azkals will score but with seasoned professionals in Singapore and the conditions that will get worse for the Azkals as the game goes on, the more I believe that Singapore will get stronger.

I’m predicting a home win 2 – 1 and Singapore to progress to their 4th final in this competition. And let’s not forget. Singapore has yet to lose a final in this competition.

Former professional footballer Paul Masefield is ESPN STAR Sports’ football pundit and commentator. Catch our LIVE coverage of the AFF Suzuki Cup when Singapore takes on the Philippines on Wednesday on STAR Sports from 8.00pm and don’t miss our pre-match studio presentation half an hour before!