SINGAPORE — It was at times a tense, nervy affair that could have gone either way.

But at the end of 90 minutes, Singapore finally got the victory that they sorely needed, as they ended their six-match winless run by beating Cambodia 1-0 in Sunday’s (Nov 13) friendly match at Bishan Stadium.

The match was Singapore’s final warm-up match before the team depart for Manilla, Philippines on Monday for the Asean Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup. The Lions have been drawn in Group A for the Suzuki Cup, alongside hosts the Philippines, defending champions Thailand and Indonesia.

In front of 2,946 supporters, Singapore started the match confidently and came close to scoring in the fourth minute when left midfielder Hafiz Sujad found some space in the penalty box. Unfortunately, from a tight angle, he dragged his shot wide.

As the half wore on, the Cambodians began to grow into the game and they fashioned their first goal-scoring opportunity in the 15th minute, when the effervescent Chan Vathanaka blazed his effort over the bar from 12 yards out after Singapore defender Baihakki Khaizan had given the ball away.

Vathanaka came even closer seven minutes later as he latched onto a through ball, but he smacked his shot against the bar with Singapore custodian Hassan Sunny completely beaten.

The home team, however, showed that they still posed a goal threat and, unsurprisingly, it came through their set-piece routines with midfielder Safuwan Baharudin coming closest in the 41st minute — but he planted his header straight at Cambodian goalkeeper Um Sereirath.

Both teams then had excellent chances to get that elusive first goal in the dying minutes of the half, with Hassan first tipping away Vathanaka’s rasping free-kick, before Singapore winger Faris Ramli’s thundering shot from outside the box rattled the crossbar.

In a bid to add more attacking verve, Singapore head coach V Sundramoorthy made three changes at the break, and it seemed to work as the Lions began the second half with renewed vigour and began pressing their opponents high up the pitch.

While their performance improved noticeably, it still took till the 68th minute before Sundram’s men had their first real sight of goal when substitute striker Sahil Suhaimi flashed his shot just wide of the post.

The Lions did not have to wait much longer for the breakthrough though — two minutes later, midfielder Yasir Hanapi, who had come on during the break, pounced on a loose ball in the box to rifle home for his first-ever international goal.

Yasir’s strike was also the first goal that Singapore had scored in four games, with the Lions having failed to find the back of the net in their previous matches against Syria, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

That goal proved to be good enough for the Lions, as they saw out the remaining 20 minutes of the game with minimum fuss to clinch their first victory since June.

Lions’ head coach Sundram, though, gave an even-handed review of the game. “In the first half, we were making a few wrong decisions with the ball, we failed to find the correct pass and didn’t keep our composure,” he said. “But after the break, we changed our tactics a bit and we started to see more mobility, better ball retention and we looked dangerous on the crosses as well.”

Nevertheless, he acknowledged, “a win’s a win”. “We came back stronger in the second half and got the winning goal,” he said, although he added that the Suzuki Cup would be a different kettle of fish.

“Winning a friendly match doesn’t mean anything. Yes, it helps our confidence, but what really matters are our Suzuki Cup matches, starting with the Philippines. There are never any easy matches now in the modern era, and results will always depend on the performance on the day,” he said.