Singapore: Singapore beat Malaysia 5-3 on Saturday in an action-packed first leg of the World Cup qualifier between the Asian neighbours.
Malaysia struck in the opening minute through Safee Mohd Sali, but were 4-1 down by halftime. Veteran striker Aleksander Duric equalized in the eighth minute and Qiu Li put Singapore ahead in the 21st before quickfire goals just before the break from Mustafic Fahrudin and Shi Jiayi.
Malaysia hit back with two goals in a minute midway through the second half, to Abdul Hadi Yahya and a second for Safee, before Duric scored a fifth for Singapore in the 82nd minute.
The return leg will be in Malaysia on Thursday.
Bureau Report
First Published: Monday, July 25, 2011, 09:42