<
>

Singapore U23 hopes vanish after 7-0 loss to Australia in Myanmar qualifier

Singapore's hopes of making January's AFC Under-23 Championship disappeared after falling to a 7-0 defeat to their Australian counterparts in their second Group F qualifier in Yangon on Friday.

After Wednesday's combative performance in losing 2-0 to host nation Myanmar on Wednesday, Richard Tardy's side were totally outclassed at Thuwunna Stadium.

They made the worst possible start, letting in the opening goal after conceding a penalty within seven minutes.

Bruce Kamau saw his initial spot kick saved by Singapore stand-in custodian Hairul Syirhan, but managed to slot home the rebound.

Josep Gombau's side then scored twice in quick succession to go three goals up after just 17 minutes.

Forward George Blackwood strode onto a long ball before firing inside Hairul's near post, before sweeping home a brilliant first-time finish after Kamau's teasing right-wing cross for his second goal.

Singapore could have pulled one back on 32 minutes. But Ikhsan Fandi, second son of Singapore legend Fandi Ahmad, fired wide from 20 yards out after cutting his marker.

The Olyroos would make it 4-0 just before half time, with substitute Milislav Popovic squeezing his shot past Hairul from close range after his initial attempt was blocked.

Gombau's boys carried where they left off in the second half.

Trent Buhagiar caught Singapore left-back Syahrul Sazali napping as he sent in a low cross for Popovic to prod home his second goal of the night on 60 minutes.

It was 6-0 nine minutes later as Devante Clut dusted himself off after being felled by Singapore captain Shahrin Saberin in the box to convert from 12 yards.

The rout was completed in the 73rd minute, with forward Jaushua Sotirio riding a couple of challenges before firing home into the bottom left corner.

To compound matters, Tardy's side ended the game with just 10 men as defensive midfielder Illyas Lee got a straight red for a dangerous tackle on an Australian opponent.

Singapore will be hoping to salvage their trip to Myanmar when they complete their campaign on Sunday with a match against Brunei. Brunei lost 3-0 to the host nation in the other Group F game on Friday to eliminate the Young Lions.

Singapore: Hairul Syirhan (GK), Faizal Roslan, Irfan Fandi, Shahrin Saberin (C), Syahrul Sazali (Amirul Adli 74'), Illyas Lee, Hami Syahin, Muhaimin Suhaimi, Hanafi Akbar (Muhelmy Suhaimi 52'), Amiruldin Asraf (Taufik Suparno 81'), Ikhsan Fandi

Australia: Danijel Nizic (GK), Thomas Deng (Milislav Popovic 26'), Stefan Nigro, Jonathan Aspropotamitis (C), Jackson Lachlan, Stefan Ingo Mauk, Devante Clut, Joe Caletti, Bruce Kamau (Trent Buhagiar 46'), George Blackwood, Jaushua Sotirio