The Singapore boys football team got off to a great start at the Youth Olympic Games with a 3-1 win over Zimbabwe.

Some of the 4,800 fans that filled the stadium were still trying to find their seats when Ammirul Mazlan (SIN) opened the scoring for the host nation in the first minute.

Muhaimin Suhaimi (SIN) made it 2-0 on 11 minutes and then got his second of the match in the 30th minute by guiding the ball in with his chest.

"It's difficult to describe this moment," Suhaimi said. "I didn't expect to score so fast. I had the ball at my feet and just decided to shoot and it went in.

"I was happy and excited to score two goals. These are the Olympic Games and I am excited. I dedicated my goals to the memory of our former coach, David Sivalingam, who passed away (last November)."

Zimbabwe pulled a goal back when they were awarded a penalty on 64 minutes and Albert Kusemwa made it 3-1 before the African side forced goalkeeper Fashah Rosedin (SIN) into making a couple of difficult saves.

"I was really happy to play in front of such a great crowd," said Kusemwa. "It was special because they were supporting Singapore, but when we did something good with the ball they were also clapping us and it felt great."

Singapore coach Abdul Yahaya S chose to focus on the things his team will have to improve on for the remainder of the competition. "I'm happy with the performance in the first half, but I'm not happy with the second half," he said. "I'm sure our team can play better.

"I believe my players were overawed by the occasion. It's the first game and they want to play well in front of the home crowd. But they did things I didn't expect them to do. So we have something to work on."

FIFA president Sepp Blatter (SUI) was in attendance as well as Football Association of Singapore president Zainudin Nordin and Vivian Balakrishnan, who is the minister for community development, youth and sports.

Zimbabwe need to avoid defeat to Montenegro in their second Group D match on Monday. If the African team lose, it will mean semifinal qualification for both Singapore and Montenegro, who meet on Thursday.