Vientiane: Four-time champions Singapore had to work hard to defeat a resilient Laos 2-0 in their second outing in Group B of the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022 at the National Stadium KM16 on Tuesday.

A well-organised Laos side stifled the Singaporean attacks and were unfortunate not to score themselves in a neck-and-neck contest.

But Irfan Fandi’s header in the 32nd minute and a 94th-minute strike from Shawal Anuar proved to be the difference between the two sides as Takayuki Nishigaya’s players made it two wins from as many matches.

Laos were forced to make a last-minute change before kick-off as goalkeeper Phounin Xayasone picked up an injury during the warm up, so in came Keo-Oudone Souvannasangso. Meanwhile, 38-year-old custodian Hassan Sunny and centre-back Irfan were among the starters for Singapore.

Despite conceding 11 goals in their first two outings, Michael Weiss’s Laos were more than a match for the visitors during the 90 minutes. The first chance of the game fell to Laos captain Soukaphone Vongchiengkham, making a record-equalling 54th appearance for his country, who tested Hassan from distance in the 11th minute.

Zulfahmi Arifin then went close for Nishigaya’s side with a deflected effort from range in the 18th minute as Singapore struggled to stamp their authority.

Just past the half hour mark though, Ilhan Fandi won a free kick almost 40 yards out and his elder sibling Irfan arrived at the far post to head home Zulfahmi’s set-piece delivery and give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Laos almost found an equaliser in the first-half stoppage time as Ekkamai Ratxachak broke forward and found Chony Wenpaserth in support, but Singapore breathed a sigh of relief as the 20-year-old’s strike from the edge of the box whistled past the post.

Weiss’s side went even closer to scoring following the restart as Phithack Kongmathilath’s left-footed strike from distance beat the experienced Hassan in the Singapore goal and rattled the crossbar in the 47th minute.

Three minutes later, Faris Ramli rounded goalkeeper Keo-Oudone only to see his shot cleared off the line by Anantaza Siphongphan before the Singapore attacker’s effort on the rebound was kept out by the Laos custodian.

Hassan was then called into action to deny Chony’s low drive at the hour mark. The chances were at a premium for Singapore and Shahdan Sulaiman forced Keo-Oudone into a save from one of those rare sightings of goal in the 83rd minute.

Laos continued to probe for an equaliser, but when the goal came, it was at the other end. Substitute Anuar closed down Keo-Oudone in the second-half stoppage time, stole the possession and finished into an open goal to make it 2-0 for the visitors.