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Singapore 'unlucky' to lose to Cambodia in AFF warm-up - Fandi

Assistant national coach Fandi Ahmad says Singapore were "very unlucky" on their recent tour of Japan and Cambodia and are still on track for this year's AFF Suzuki Cup.

The Lions will try to win their record fifth ASEAN title when the tournament begins in November, co-hosted by Philippines and Myanmar.

But, after falling to two defeats in three matches in Japan, Singapore lost 2-1 to Cambodia in Phnom Penh on Thursday night -- their first defeat to the Southeast Asian minnows in 44 years.

Cambodia haven't yet qualified for the Suzuki Cup and have to win a four-nation tournament on home soil in October to book their place.

"I believe we were very unlucky. I don't think Cambodia had more chances than Singapore. We should have finished the chances that we created," Fandi told Today.

"Cambodia were better at transition and attack, but we managed to contain their attackers. With all the chances that we had, we shouldn't have lost -- at least a draw."

Fandi's former teammate V. Sundramoorthy has had a rocky time in charge since taking over from Bernd Stange as national coach at the end of May.

The extension of his 12-month contract will hinge on results in 2016, with the Suzuki Cup the primary focus.

But 54-year-old Fandi says there were positives to come out of the tour, which saw senior squad members like Hariss Harun, Safuwan Baharudin and Hassan Sunny not involved because of club commitments.

Fandi added: "Our objective is to give our younger players a chance. As you can see, there were so many new players and we are still missing our key players who are playing overseas. Hopefully, we can get better before the next international game."

One positive to come out of the game in Phnom Penh was the impact that Geylang International winger Gabriel Quak made when he came off the bench after the break as Cambodia led 2-1. Singapore hit the woodwork three times in the second half.

Most of Singapore's national team players will return to their clubs ahead of Thursday's start of the second half of the S.League season.

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