group runners-up. Singapore faced Myanmar in the semi-finals, registering a 4–3 win in the first leg in a game where first-choice striker Indra Sahdan was suspended and questions were raised over the eligibility of a Myanmar player. A 4–2 extra-time win over 8-man Myanmar in the home leg put the Lions through to the finals where they faced Indonesia. Singapore achieved a 3–1 win at Senayan in the first leg, followed by a 2–1 win at Kallang on 16 January 2005. Singapore clinched the trophy on home soil and their second international title after their 1998 tournament triumph. The Lions were honoured for their Cup win with the Team of the Year award at the Singapore Sports Awards 2005. The FAS's offer of a new two-year contract in May 2005 amid interest in the service of the coach by other Middle Eastern and Asian teams was not taken up by Avramović, who lamented the lack of stronger competitive matches for the national team and little support for the players. In June, Avramović announced a shortlist of 40 players for the Southeast Asian Games in November. As part of their preparations, Singapore entered the inaugural AFF U-23 Youth Championship held in September, finishing runners-up behind Thailand. Although the under-23 squad contained nine players that won the 2004 Tiger Cup, they failed to progress beyond the group stage of the 2005 Southeast Asian Games. Despite earlier speculation of his departure, Avramović signed a two-year contract extension in December. In 2006, Singapore were placed in the same group as Iraq, China and Palestine for the 2007 Asian Cup qualification. They defeated Iraq 2–0 in February but lost the next game by a solitary goal to Palestine. Although Singapore lost only to an injury time goal to China and drew the return fixture at home, their 4–2 defeat to Iraq in October confirmed their absence at the 2007 Games. Following an appeal by the FAS, the SNOC gave the green light for Singapore's participation in the under-23 football competition at the 2006 Asian Games in November. This marked the first time in 16 years that the football team was sent to the Asian Games. Although the Young Lions were boosted by the addition of naturalised players Shi Jiayi and Itimi Dickson, they failed to clear the first hurdle, ending up third in their group after draws with Syria and Indonesia, and a loss to