SINGAPORE: Tsutomu Ogura celebrated his first international victory as coach of the Singapore national football team on November 14, leading the Lions to a thrilling comeback against Myanmar in an international friendly at the National Stadium, finishing with a score of 3-2.

The match started positively for the home side, with Farhan Zulkifli putting Singapore ahead just five minutes into the game. The young forward's goalscoring instinct allowed him to convert an early opportunity after a well-placed cross from Nazrul Nazari, marking Farhan's debut international goal.

However, the tide turned in the second half, as Myanmar bounced back with two quick goals. Ye Yint Aung scored the equalizer shortly after the break, taking advantage of a mistake by Singapore’s goalkeeper Syazwan Buhari. The momentum continued to shift, with Thiha Zaw adding a second goal, granting Myanmar a 2-1 lead and putting Singapore on the back foot.

Despite being ranked 165th in the FIFA standings—three places below Singapore—Myanmar showcased their fighting spirit under the guidance of former international Myo Hlaing Win. Still, the Lions refused to go down without a fight and displayed resilience that would define their match.

With time running out, substitutes Shawal Anuar and Naqiuddin Eunos emerged as heroes for Singapore. Shawal leveled the match with just five minutes left, pouncing on a loose ball from Faris Ramli’s knockdown. The drama escalated less than a minute later when Faris, who was pivotal throughout the match, provided an assist that allowed Naqiuddin to curl a brilliant shot into the net, giving Singapore a stunning 3-2 lead.

The Lions showcased a solid attacking performance, particularly through the flanks with players like Farhan and Glenn Kweh consistently threatening the Myanmar defense. They enjoyed sustained possession for most of the match, but it was their late-game determination that ultimately earned them the win.

The friendly, attended by only 6,061 spectators, provided an enthusiastic atmosphere as fans witnessed their team rally back from adversity. Ogura’s first international victory signals a hopeful path forward for Singapore as they look to build on this success.

With the World Cup qualifiers approaching, Singapore will be eager to maintain their momentum and improve upon their FIFA ranking while building team chemistry under Ogura’s leadership. This thrilling match serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of football and the excitement it can bring.