[Instant Reaction] It's experience to make up for the shortfall of pace...

Watched the game with LATW at Ogopogo

It's the experience that counted in a match such as a semi-final like the one we saw earlier on TV.

A depleted strength saw Aleksandar Duric starting the game for the second time in the AFF Suzuki Cup campaign for that physical presence upfront with Isa Halim added the much-needed steel alongside with Fahrudin Mustafic in the middle of the park.

The tactical switch proved to be working as it helped to stabilise and buffered the pressure on the Lions' back four of Shaiful Esah, Baihakki Khaizan, Safuwan Baharudin and Daniel Bennett in the first half.

While the visiting Singapore side may have the better chances of the two, but the excellent showing by the Azkals' keeper Sacapano had once again proved to be stumbling block of the Lions like he did against them weeks ago in Cebu.

Much better showing from the Filipinos in the second half by playing more ground passing style of play using their pace to penalize the Lions on their Achilles Heel - the lack of mobility in movement in defense that caused a quite a few headaches for the backline.

Which is where the experience played a key part in making up the lack of pace in situation liked those.

Nonetheless, with both teams sharing the spoils in Manila, it's up to individuals to decipher if either one got any advantage out of this with the returning leg due on coming Wednesday at the JBS.