Bangladesh suffered their second consecutive defeat in the FIFA ASEAN Cup on Monday, falling 1-0 to Singapore at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium to leave their group-stage qualification hopes in severe jeopardy.
Harhys Stewart scored the only goal of the match in the 35th minute, rising to meet Abdullah Noor’s cross from the left side and heading past goalkeeper Mehedi Hasan Srabon.
The defeat leaves Bangladesh bottom of Group A with zero points from two matches. Malaysia top the standings with three points from one game, while Indonesia and Singapore also hold three points each. Thomas Dooley’s team must now beat hosts Indonesia on Thursday to preserve any chance of progressing in the tournament.
Determined to respond to the 3-0 opening defeat by Malaysia, Dooley made four changes to his starting XI. Captain Jamal Bhuyan, Zidane Yousuf, Shuki Itofusa and Shekh Morsalin returned to the team, replacing Sohel Rana, Farhaan Ali Wahid, Shakil Ahad Topu and Fahamedul Islam.
The reshuffle gave Bangladesh early impetus. Rakib Hossain and Shuki carried the ball into Singapore’s penalty area on multiple occasions during the opening 15 minutes. Rakib created the earliest opening in the 15th minute when he penetrated the box, but his pass found no teammate available.
Singapore gradually adjusted to Bangladesh’s early pressure and began threatening on the counter. Midfielder Shamit Shome received the first yellow card of the match in the sixth minute for pulling back Zulkifli. Singapore then won two successive corners in the 16th minute, with Srabon denying Ilhan Fandi’s goalbound attempt.
Srabon made another critical intervention in the 33rd minute, diving to push away a dangerous Singapore free-kick from just outside the penalty box before defender Tariq Kazi completed the clearance.
However, Singapore took the lead two minutes later through Stewart’s free header. They almost extended their advantage in the 37th minute when a strike from the right hit the crossbar. While Bangladesh enjoyed early control, they ended the first half without registering a single shot on target, compared to four on target from Singapore’s five total efforts.
Bangladesh showed greater urgency after the restart, pressing for an equaliser throughout the second half. Despite sustained attacking efforts up to the final minute, Dooley’s team failed to break down Singapore’s defence, leaving the scoreline 1-0 at the final whistle.
