Singapore’s first clear-cut chance came in the 21 minutes as a brilliant switch from Shah Shahiran started a flowing move, but Ryhan Stewart skied over.
And the Lions came even closer about ten minutes later as a China defender headed past his onrushing keeper Li Hao with Shawal Anuar pressing hard.
However, Li recovered well to grab the ball on the line with the nippy attacker pressing.
China doubled their lead with five minutes left to play in the half after Rustam Lutfullin adjudged that Singapore skipper Hariss Harun handled in the box. Up stepped Zhang to smash home.
The Lions dominated possession in the early exchanges of the second half and almost got their reward in the 57th minute.
Excellent work from Ryhan saw him turn past his man and fire a shot, which was turned away. The resultant rebound from Glenn Kweh was then bravely blocked by a defender.