Nepal made history on March 21 by securing their first-ever victory over Singapore in an international football friendly. The 175th-ranked Nepali team stunned 160th-ranked Singapore with a 1-0 win at the National Stadium, leaving the home crowd of 5,078 in disappointment. This defeat marks Singapore’s first loss to Nepal in four encounters and raises concerns about their performance ahead of the Asian Cup qualifiers.
Lackluster Performance Frustrates Singapore Coach
Singapore’s head coach, Tsutomu Ogura, did not hold back in his post-match press conference, expressing deep disappointment in his team’s performance.
“If we play like this, we cannot win against any team,” the 58-year-old coach stated. “In my one year here, this is the worst game we have played, even worse than the 7-0 defeat to South Korea. Nepal were much better. We lacked teamwork, we lacked fight, and we were scared after conceding a single goal.”
Ogura emphasized that Nepal played with determination, treating the friendly as a competitive match, while Singapore lacked urgency and cohesion. “Nepal fought for 90 minutes plus additional time, but we only fought for 10 to 15 minutes. That is simply not enough.”
Match Highlights: Nepal’s Early Strike Seals Victory
Nepal took the lead early in the game, scoring in the 12th minute. Manish Dangi delivered a precise cross to Gillespye Jung Karki, who found the back of the net, registering his third goal in his 12th international appearance. The goal sparked jubilant celebrations among the 600-odd Nepalese fans in attendance.
Singapore tried to respond quickly. In the 17th minute, Harhys Stewart appeared to be fouled in the penalty box by Nepalese defender Rohit Chand, but the referee, Yusuke Ohashi, waved off appeals for a penalty.
Despite a few attempts, including a shot from Ryhan Stewart in the 21st minute, Singapore failed to seriously challenge Nepal’s captain and goalkeeper, Kiran Chemjong. The home side’s best chance came in the 68th minute when Christopher van Huizen’s cross was headed by Ilhan Fandi towards Faris Ramli, whose close-range shot was impressively saved by Chemjong.
Singapore had another penalty appeal in the 79th minute when Abhishek Limbu appeared to handle the ball in the box, but once again, the referee dismissed the claims. In the dying moments of the game, Harhys Stewart had a close-range shot blocked, and Faris Ramli’s free-kick skimmed off the crossbar in added time.
What This Means for Nepal and Singapore
This historic victory serves as a major confidence boost for Nepal, who recently appointed Matthew Ross as their head coach. With limited time to prepare, the team showcased resilience and discipline, which will be crucial as they head into their Asian Cup qualifier against Malaysia on March 25.
Meanwhile, Singapore faces growing concerns ahead of their crucial match against Hong Kong in the Asian Cup qualifiers. The team’s lack of coordination and inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities highlight areas that need urgent improvement.
Coach and Players Respond
Singapore midfielder Shah Shahiran apologized to fans for the disappointing display and vowed improvement in the upcoming match. “It’s important to do a better job against Hong Kong. We can promise a better performance and a better result next Tuesday.”
Coach Ogura acknowledged his responsibility for the team’s struggles, saying, “When the team does not perform well, it is my responsibility. I pick the players and decide how they play. Today was bad, but Hong Kong is a new challenge. We must get our mindset right.”
As Nepal prepares for their next fixture against Malaysia, they will look to build on this momentum. Singapore, on the other hand, will need to make significant tactical adjustments to regain confidence before their crucial Asian Cup qualifier.
