SINGAPORE - The Singapore Under-23s have a "good chance" of heading to Myanmar for this year's South-east Asia (SEA) Games after beating their Indonesian counterparts 1-0 on Saturday night at Jalan Besar Stadium.
The endorsement came from Singapore National Olympic Council vice-president Dr Tan Eng Liang, who is also a member of the selection panel that decides which athletes deserve to go to the SEA Games based on results and performances.
After watching the Young Lions battle to a gritty victory via Shahfiq Ghani's 10th-minute penalty, he told The New Paper: "It was a good game and Singapore didn't do too badly.
"Indonesia were attacking more and a draw would have been a fairer result.
"But if the Football Association of Singapore puts together the squad's last few results, I would say their chances (of going to this year's SEA Games) are good."
Dr Tan was referring to the Young Lions' three-match unbeaten run that includes last night's win and also last month's 1-1 draw with Indonesia, who were silver-medallists at the last SEA Games, away in Solo.
V Sundramoorthy's side also played the Philippines Under-23s at Hougang Stadium and beat them 1-0. According to his assistant K Balagumaran, Sundram was ill and assigned him to field questions at the post-match press conference instead.
Balagumaran said: "Yes, I think we have done enough to qualify for the SEA Games.
"We played strong opponents who have many quality players. Indonesia have one of the strongest Under-23 teams in the region and we matched them.
"With tactical discipline and a strong mentality, I think we can give a good fight at this year's SEA Games and there is a good chance we can make the semi-finals.