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| Singaporean striker Aleksandar Duric looks frustrated [EPA] |
Singapore survived an endless stream of attacks to draw 0-0 with Vietnam in the first leg of their Southeast Asean championship semi-final.
The holders were on the back foot throughout as the home side, spurred on by a capacity crowd, pounded the nervy Singapore defence in search of a first final place in 10 years.
Striker Nguyen Viet Thang hit the post on 19 minutes with only goalkeeper Lionel Lewis to beat and then went just wide after an almost identical move.
Van Tai Em Phan had a header saved by Lewis who was again called into action nine minutes after the break, spectacularly tipping Nguyen Vu Phong's free kick over the bar.
Few chances
Singapore, one of the region's strongest teams, had a goal disallowed for offside in the 72nd minute from their only real chance.
"This was our worst game so far, we didn't create any chances," Singapore coach Radojko Avramovic said.
"Vietnam were exceptional and we were very lucky."
On Tuesday, Thailand maintained their perfect record with a 1-0 semi-final first leg win away to Indonesia.
Coached by England’s Peter Reid who joined the team in July, Thailand attacked from the start and silenced the crowd after only five minutes when Teerasil Dangda’s header looped into the top corner from 10 metres.
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