Singapore warmed up for this month's AFF Suzuki Cup defence with a respectable 2-0 away loss to Bahrain in a friendly in Manama, keeping the game scoreless until the last quarter of the match.
Bahrain, the number 13th ranked side in Asia, scored goals through Ismail Abdul-Latif in the 67th minute and Sami Al Hussaini in the 75th after being stretched by the visitors for much of the game.
It was one of Singapore's final matches before they begin their Suzuki Cup campaign against Thailand at the National Stadium on Nov. 23. The solid performance restores confidence after a defeat to Hong Kong and a draw with lowly Macau in their previous two friendlies last month.
"We were very good in the first 60 minutes. It was one of our best performances since I took over last May," said Singapore head coach Bernd Stange. "If the boys could keep it up for the second half, we would have gotten something from the game, but we lost our shape a little for a 20 minute spell and that was when Bahrain punished us with a counter attack.
"I am very pleased with our performance in the first 60 minutes and there are many positives to take from that. If we can maintain that level for 90 minutes, we will match anybody."
Singapore started energetically, matching the Bahrainis in every challenge despite the home side having the majority of possession.
The visitors had a chance to score in the 25th minute when Sahil Suhaimi was fouled on the left wing. He picked himself up to swing in a sumptuous free kick which would almost certainly have resulted in a goal had a rampaging Baihakki Khaizan managed to make a connection.
At the other end, Safuwan Baharudin blocked a goal-bound shot in the 32nd minute to keep the score level. Five minutes later, a series of four corners for Bahrain began when Baihakki made a sliding tackle to block a low cross. Each corner was headed behind before it was finally cleared on Bahrain's fourth attempt.
In the 41st minute from a dangerous position, Safuwan thumped a free kick just wide of the right post. The Bahrainis immediately countered and had a good chance when a high ball into the box caught Izwan Mahbud slightly off his line, but the striker failed to direct his header well and it sailed harmlessly high and wide.
Both teams came out for the second half looking for the opening goal.
Bahrain sounded a warning in the 57th minute when they put the ball in the back of the net only to have the assistant referee rule the effort out for offside.
A period of strong pressure from Singapore around the hour mark saw a fast break with Hariss Harun releasing the lively Faris, but his cross was blocked for a corner which Bahrain dealt with. A minute later, Zulfahmi Arifin whipped in a corner which Baihakki, under pressure from his marker, just missed connecting with.
Singapore had more chances before Bahrain took the lead after breaking on the counter. Abdul-Latif beat Baihakki for pace on their left wing before placing a shot past Izwan inside the far post and putting Bahrain up 1-0 with 23 minutes to go.
Singapore had an appeal for a penalty turned down in the 69th minute when Faris dribbled into the penalty box and was clattered by the Bahraini goalkeeper.
Faritz Hameed then came on to replace Al-Qaasimy Rahman in the 75th minute, but Bahrain capitalised by quickly taking a corner as Faritz was still racing to his position. The ball pinged around the danger zone before Sami Al Hussaini fired past Izwan to extend Bahrain's lead.
A final chance for Singapore came in the 88th minute, but substitute Khairul Nizam was caught offside following a clever ball over the top from Faris.
Apart from Thailand, Singapore will face Myanmar and Malaysia in Group B of the Suzuki Cup. The knockout stages begin on Dec. 6 with the two-legged finals on Dec. 17 and 20.