THE Singapore Under-15 (U-15) football team is through to the semi-finals of the Canon Lion City Cup, despite losing 1-2 to Italy's Juventus in its final group A match on Wednesday evening.
The result at the Jalan Besar Stadium sends the host team into Friday's semis as group A runners-up, with the Italians joining them as the group winners.
Juventus took the lead against the run of play in the 32nd minute. Midfielder Andrea Marra finished off a neat passing move to slot in from 10m out.
Singapore got a well-deserved equaliser in the 62nd minute after a horrendous defensive mix-up. Juventus captain Niccolo Guiducci's attempted back-header from a long pass was misjudged by goalkeeper Entonjo Elezaj, who saw the ball creep into his net as he rushed out too early.
The Bianconeri's winner arrived in the 85th minute, when forward Fabio Gill pounced on a loose ball from a corner to tap home. Singapore defender Sadik Said was then sent off three minutes later for a second bookable offence, which rules him out of the next match.
In the evening's other game, the Republic's Under-16 outfit faces Everton in a group B clash. The Cubs need at least a draw to join the U-15s in the semi-finals.
The result at the Jalan Besar Stadium sends the host team into Friday's semis as group A runners-up, with the Italians joining them as the group winners.
Juventus took the lead against the run of play in the 32nd minute. Midfielder Andrea Marra finished off a neat passing move to slot in from 10m out.
Singapore got a well-deserved equaliser in the 62nd minute after a horrendous defensive mix-up. Juventus captain Niccolo Guiducci's attempted back-header from a long pass was misjudged by goalkeeper Entonjo Elezaj, who saw the ball creep into his net as he rushed out too early.
The Bianconeri's winner arrived in the 85th minute, when forward Fabio Gill pounced on a loose ball from a corner to tap home. Singapore defender Sadik Said was then sent off three minutes later for a second bookable offence, which rules him out of the next match.
In the evening's other game, the Republic's Under-16 outfit faces Everton in a group B clash. The Cubs need at least a draw to join the U-15s in the semi-finals.
