AFF Suzuki Cup 2014: Singapore 1 Thái Lan 2

In a rematch of the 2012 final, Khairul Amri had levelled for the Lions in the 20th minute after Mongkol Totsakrai had given the Thais a ninth minute lead.

But with the game headed for a draw, Thailand were awarded a penalty a minute from time when Chappuis’ cross was handled by Safuwan Baharuddin.

The Swiss-born player stepped up to take the kick and powered a low effort past Hassan Sunny to help his side exact revenge for their 3-2 aggregate defeat two years ago.

Playing their first competitive match at the new National Stadium, the home team began the match confidently but they were undone by some poor defending in the ninth minute.

The Lions defence was caught napping by Praweenawat Boonyong’s quickly-taken throw-in which picked out an unattended Prakit Deeprom, who sent the ball from the left byline across the six-yard box for Mongkol to fire home.

The home side struggled to cope with the quick movement of the Thais up front but they got back on level terms through Amri after 20 minutes.

The scorer of crucial goals in Singapore’s victories over Thailand in the 2007 and 2012 ASEAN finals, the 29-year-old plundered another as he got on the end of an inviting cross by Shaiful Esah to send a powerful header past goalkeeper Kawin Thammasatchanan.

Kawin made a good stop to deny Faris Ramli shortly afterwards and Sahil Suhami should have done much better when he was sent clear by Shahril Ishak’s fine through ball but he miscontrolled and allowed the ball to go harmlessly out of play.

At the other end, Kroekrit Taweekarn saw his long-range effort skim just wide of the post while Mongkol had a fierce shot charged down on the edge of the Singapore box.

Shahril’s long ball nearly set up Amri for a second goal in the 36th minute but Adison Promrak got back just in time to make a superb covering tackle to deny the Lions striker.

On the stroke of half-time, Amri nicked possession on the left of the Thai box and squared the ball to an unmarked Faris Ramli who fired wastefully high over the crossbar.

The Thais were in the ascendancy early in the second half and Singapore goalkeeper Hassan Sunny was called into action to tip an effort by Kroekrit over the crossbar.

However, the hosts nearly took the lead in the 63rd minute when Shahdan Sulaiman picked out Shahril’s run into the box but the Singapore captain scuffed his effort which was easily picked up by Kawin.

A long-range effort by Sahil Suhaimi stretched Kawin in the 73rd minute and Shahril then played in Faris, who fired the ball into the side netting.

Thailand went close when Sarach Yooyen’s long-range effort produced a fine diving save by Hassan in the 77th minute.

But the visitors would grab the winner in the 89th minute after Chappuis coolly converted from the penalty spot after his cross had been handled by Safuwan.

Thailand coach Kiatisuk Senamuang admitted that his side were fortunate to get the win.

“Singapore are a good team who have already been champions four times and we expected a difficult game,” said the Thai football legend. “We knew that it would not be easy and we tried to just get one point but we got lucky that right before the end of the match, we got the winning goal.

“I have to thank my players for working hard. This is a team of youngsters who have just moved up from under-23 level and I want to give them experience. They did well today and played a good game.”

Despite the defeat, Singapore coach Bernd Stange was pleased with the effort put in by his players.

“It was a high intensity game with 90 minutes of power and energy by both teams,” said the German.

“We started the game by giving them an early Christmas present and while it is very difficult to come back against a good team like Thailand, we did it and it was amazing to see how our team was performing until the very end.

“But finally we suffered a very unlucky defeat and I think that we deserved a draw.”