Singapore U-16 fall short against defending champions BG Pathum in Lion City Cup, losing 1-0

Cubs coach Angel Toledano revealed that they have been focusing on refining their movements in the final third, despite the absence of midfielder Nathan Mao, who scored two goals in the 2023 edition.

But while the Cubs created chances, they could not make any of them count before 1,450 spectators at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

They will need to improve on their finishing in the third-placing match on Oct 6 against Johor Darul Takzim, who were trounced 8-2 by Japan’s Tokyo Verdy in the earlier semi-final.

Toledano also saw other areas where they fell short, as they prepare for their Asian Football Confederation U-17 Asian Cup qualifying campaign at the Bishan Stadium from Oct 23 to 27.

The Cubs are in Group J with Oman, Tajikistan and Guam.

He said: “I feel we didn’t enter the game well. (Pathum) dominated possession in the first half, and when we had possession, we were not able to find the spaces to progress.

“The boys that we have, they fought and they tried their best.

“Of course, (defender) Kieran Tan and Nathan can always be called up for future tournaments, but at the moment, for different reasons, these are the players who we have available, and we will try our best to improve and keep fighting for Sunday.”

After a bright start from both sides, the first real chance came in the 15th minute when Pathum’s Thunwisit Taman was given space on the right, but could only fire wide.

Singapore’s best opportunity came in the 34th minute when Harith Danish found Sarrvin Raj with a long-range pass, but the latter’s tame shot was easily claimed by Pathum goalkeeper Prachawich Bunyaritthikran.

Cubs’ custodian Jarec Ng was called into action five minutes later as Thunwisit’s pass was picked up by Konsana Chuaishana, who stung the goalkeeper’s palms from point-blank range.

On the stroke of half-time, the Cubs were dealt a blow as a cross from Thunwisit after a long surging run found Ponthakorn Promsaeng on the edge of the six-yard box and the left-back promptly slotted in the opener.

Emerging rejuvenated from the break, the Cubs came close in the 50th minute.

An unmarked Helmi Shahrol got to the end of Luth Harith Fathi’s cross, but the forward could only direct his header over the bar.

Singapore’s best chance of equalising came in the 78th minute when substitute Jadon Quah received a throw in the box and dribbled past three players, but fired straight at Pranchawich.

Pathum could have put the game to bed three minutes later when Phunyapat Thong Sai’s through pass found Konsana who was one-on-one with Jarec.

But the forward skewed his shot wide, much to the relief of the Singapore goalkeeper.

Two minutes into added time, Cubs captain Iliya Naufal nearly sent the crowd into a frenzy, but his tame effort was comfortably collected by Pranchawich as Pathum booked their place in the final against Verdy on Oct 6.

Pathum had beaten Toledano’s Cubs 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in last year’s final, but the Thai side’s coach Chatree Chimtale believes that the Singapore team have improved from a year ago.

He said: “They put us in a very difficult situation today, on how they play, how they understand the game. They are on the right track to go forward.”

While he was happy to have reached the final, he believes they will have their work cut out against Verdy.

“We still have a lot to improve from this game and make it better for the next game,” he said.

“Tokyo Verdy are a very good team and we have to focus on our defence, just to see how to handle their attacking threats.”