[Asian Cup Qualifiers: Singapore 0-2 Oman] Stange: We can make it to the next step but it takes time to improve

Bernd Stange's competitive start as the Singapore national coach hit a snag with a 2-0 loss to Oman in the Asian Cup Qualifiers at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

Two goals in the first half well deemed enough for the Middle-easterners to bag all three bags to ease the burden of their coach Paul Le Guen following their failure to qualify for the World Cup earlier.

Qasim Said (2nd from right) scored the first goal

Fifteen minutes into play saw Qasim Said making inroads from the right into the Lions fortress before unleashing a low drive past Izwan Mahbud to give the visitors the lead.

The Omanis doubled their tally before the end of the first half with a well-taken shot from outside through Eid Al-Farsi to put the game beyond doubt for the jaded hosts.

Safuwan Baharudin (21) head to head with Abdul Aziz (9)

Lions were struggling to contain the Omanis' swift plays

The Lions tried to play the "passing-and-dominating" type of game the German tactician has been preaching since his arrival in May, but the 5,000 odd crowds at JBS saw possession was passed around in their own half most of the time instead.

The missing piece on the Lions' chessboard was the latching player that was supposed to link the defence to the upfront that resulted limited penetration for the men in red, except for a few notable free-kicks that had hardly threatened their opponents.

Qiu Li's (16) free kick missed the target in second half

Shahril Ishak (right) finds it tough going against Oman

Acknowledged the issue in the post-match press conference, Coach Stange said:"We hold the ball too long in our own half which we can't switch it to a killer pass to their half, but please believe me that we can make it to the next step, however, it takes time to improve and find the game we want (to play).

"It's quite clear to everyone we want to win this game, it's not as bad as it is seen with the possession we dominated in the game and I felt that the second goal was a killer that we don't have the physical power to change the game." added the former Iraq national coach.

Lions coach Stange remains confident and positive after loss

Oman's coach Paul Le Guen - burden off his shoulders

Meanwhile, a relieved Paul Le Guen greeted the media to give his take on his side's win.

"We did the job" said the former PSG coach in his opening statement.

"First half was average but it was efficient, whereas the second half I felt my team played better but did not score; our aim is to qualify and it's important to win away especially we are playing on artificial pitch but it is an improvement so we deserved the win." concluded the Frenchman.

The 2-0 result had the Omanis remained at the top of Group A on a 100% record, while Singapore remained anchored at the foot after their second defeat in the qualifiers.