Late defensive lapse costly for Singapore
Uzbekistan moved to the top of the Asian Hockey Federation Cup standings with a 4-3 victory over Singapore yesterday at King's Park.
The Uzbeks have now established themselves as favourites for the title after inflicting on Singapore their first defeat of the tournament.
Singapore will be kicking themselves for defensive lapses in the late stages of the match as they squandered a 3-1 lead with seven minutes remaining.
Madjaryan Artur, who scored Uzbekistan's opening goal in the 13th minute, reduced the deficit to 3-2 in the 63rd minute and teammate Ashirov Izet levelled the scores soon afterwards.
Izet sneaked the winner for the Uzbeks in the dying seconds.
Earlier, Yeo Choon Kiat equalised for Singapore at 1-1 and Idris Masagoes gave his side the lead in the 36th minute. Adam Noor made it 3-1 for Singapore 15 minutes into the second half.
Singapore are in second place, one point behind the Uzbeks after three games.
In the other match, Taiwan gained their first point of the competition after a 1-1 draw with Macau.
Chen Yung-shun's 11th-minute strike was cancelled out by Macau's Lei Keng-fong in the 42nd minute.
