Italy secured a narrow victory over Singapore in Group B of the Call Cup League, winning 172-170 on Thursday. The result keeps the hosts at the summit of the table with twenty-six points from thirteen matches. Singapore remain rooted to sixth place, having collected a solitary point from fourteen games.
It was a contest that refused to settle, with both sides trading blows throughout. Italy had shown impressive form recently, including a 192-79 win over Uganda and a 200-132 victory against Bahrain. Singapore's record since their last win tells another story entirely—fourteen defeats, one point, and a habit of conceding freely.
By then the pattern was clear enough. Italy dominated possession and created chances, while Singapore dug in defensively but struggled to maintain shape. The hosts worked the channels effectively, switching play to exploit gaps. Singapore's defence switched off at key moments, allowing Italy to pull away when it mattered.
The statistics reflect the imbalance. Italy's attack operated with precision, converting opportunities at a high rate. Singapore managed to find the net once, a rare bright spot in an otherwise difficult campaign. The expected goals figures suggest Italy created far more quality chances, though the final score tells a tighter story than the numbers might imply.
For Italy this means extending their unbeaten run and maintaining pressure at the top. They are unbeaten in five now, building momentum ahead of crucial fixtures. Singapore face an uphill battle to climb out of the bottom half, with the gap to safety widening.