Singapore score over Hong Kong

Singapore rallied to get the better of Hong Kong 2-1 and score their first victory in the inaugural Asian Football Confederation Under-19 women's football championship in Margao on Monday.

In other matches, North Korea beat Uzbekistan 1-0, Myanmar beat Thaliand 2-0 and China and Taiwan drew 0-0.

It was Hong Kong who went into the lead in the 28th minute of the Group D match, when Wong Man Ching, from the middle, sent a long lob to the top of the box where defender Abirama Apbai Naidu delayed to clear the ball. Fung Kam Mui pounced on the ball and shot into the far corner of the net.

But Singapore rallied strongly thereafter and held sway in the second half, finding the equaliser in the 53rd minute.

Nurashidan Rashid lobbed the ball to Nuryaima Abdul Aziz, who essayed a rasping drive that beat keeper Ip Yik Wing to find the far post.

Singapore maintained the pressure and finally found the match-winner in the 67th minute. Huraizah Ismail unleashed a seemingly harmless 40-yard shot which keeper Ip Yik Wing failed to collect. The ball slipped from her grasp and found the net.

Singapore could have increased the lead further but Mohamed Rosli muffed an open chance, shooting over off a pass from Daing Nur Amelia Amer.

Earlier, in the another Group D match, Chinese Taipei (Taiwan) and China PR were locked in a goalless draw.

At the end of the second round, China PR and Chinese Taipei were leading the table with four points each.

Singapore, with one win and a loss, are placed third with three points. Hong Kong have lost both their matches.

Asian Women's under-19 Championships 2002 - The Complete Coverage