Ilhan Fandi's late goal gives Lions lifeline in 3-1 Asean Championship semi-final first-leg loss to Thailand

Ilhan Fandi gave Singapore hope with a superb late goal as the Lions fell 3-1 to Thailand in the first leg of their Asean Championship semi-final at Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday (Aug 15).

Singapore appeared to be heading to Bangkok with a daunting three-goal deficit after a Teerasak Poeiphimai first-half double and Seksan Ratree's strike shortly after the restart put the record seven-time champions firmly in control.

But Ilhan sparked hope in the 84th minute, cutting inside before curling an effort into the far corner off the post to score the first goal Thailand have conceded at this year's tournament.

The goal breathed life into the sold-out Jalan Besar Stadium, with the crowd roaring the Lions on with chants of "satu nada" ("one heartbeat") in the closing minutes.

It was not enough to prevent Singapore's first defeat of the tournament, but Ilhan's strike narrowed the deficit for Gavin Lee's world number 148 team to overturn against the world number 94 at Bangkok's Rajamangala Stadium on Tuesday.

With President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and his wife Jane Ittogi among those in attendance, anticipation had been building before kick-off as the capacity crowd sang Kit Chan's Home.

There was little to separate the sides in a cautious opening five minutes, with both teams probing patiently, but Singapore struggled to turn their share of possession into meaningful chances.

Thailand, in contrast, were clinical when their opportunities came.

The visitors struck in the 14th minute after their press forced Singapore into trouble.

Seksan won possession before releasing Teerasak, whose effort took a slight deflection off a Singapore defender before beating goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud.

Singapore's task became harder 12 minutes later when Waris Choolthong found space down the right and delivered for an unmarked Teerasak to head home his second.

Lee acknowledged at the post-match press conference that the Lions had contributed to their own problems.

"We put ourselves in quite a few unnecessary, difficult moments, and kind of made it easy for them," he said.

"When you go to places of that quality, then yeah, they definitely punish you."

The Lions were offered a route back into the contest after a video review found Yotsakon Burapha had pushed Shawal Anuar from behind during a corner in the 31st minute.

But Kampol Pathomakkakul kept out Shawal's spot kick, denying Singapore a golden opportunity to halve the deficit.

Singapore enjoyed more possession but struggled to turn it into clear-cut opportunities, while Thailand remained dangerous.

Hopes of an immediate revival after the break were dealt another blow six minutes into the second half.

Patrik Gustavsson raced down the left and found Seksan inside the box, with the midfielder finishing past Izwan to put Thailand three goals ahead.

Singapore continued to see more of the ball but struggled to turn their possession into clear-cut opportunities, while Thailand remained dangerous whenever they broke forward.

The Lions were particularly vulnerable in transition, with Picha Autra at one point carrying the ball from midfield to create a three-on-one situation, but Izwan denied him.

Ilhan finally breached the Thai defence six minutes from time after receiving the ball from Hami Syahin. 

There was to be no comeback, but Lee took heart from the way the supporters continued to back his side even after the final whistle.

"The fans didn't give up on us, we cannot give up on ourselves," he said after the match.

The defeat extended Singapore's losing run against Thailand to 11 matches, with their last victory over the War Elephants going back to the 2012 Asean Championship final.

Lee believes Singapore's prospects in Bangkok will depend first on whether his players still believe the tie can be rescued.

"If we leave the stadium thinking like it's over, then yeah, no matter what tactics we want to put out there, there's no chance," he said.

"But we spoke as a group, and I saw the look and the faces, and you know they're very determined to go out there again."

Singapore now have three days to regroup before the second leg for a chance to reach the final against either defending champions Vietnam or Malaysia.

shafiq.apandi@asiaone.com