Zulkarnaen, Rafi and Dalis' dismal performances cost Eagles
They had served ex-national coach Douglas Moore well during the Malaysia Cup days. So it was perhaps understandable that the coach still kept faith with Rafi Ali and Zulkarnaen Zainal when he took charge of Geylang United.
But the seasoned duo failed to deliver. And, if blame were to be apportioned for the Eagles' failure to win the opening match against Tanjong Pagar at Queenstown Stadium last night, the pair, plus fellow-international midfielder Dalis Supait, must hang down their heads and cry "mea culpa".
The Eagles, with an impressive list of five foreigners, six internationals and two ex-Lions on their payroll, were expected to chalk up an easy win against the Jaguars. But all they managed was a 1-1 draw and one point, certainly not the statistics title-aspirants look forward to.
Almost 3,000 fans were at the stadium -- the Geylang fans being ferried there by buses -- to see two of the best-supported teams do battle. On reflection, the home fans had the better deal. Moore wanted a new look for Geylang -- changing the traditional green-white strip for a deep blue one.
But that was the only cosmetic change. For, apart from Rafi and Zulkarnaen, he had, on parade, several other faces from his successful Malaysia Cup campaign in 1994: goalkeeper David Lee, midfielder Kadir Yahaya and defender R. Sasikumar.
His other starters were five foreigners, of whom only tall Neil Alison proved worthy. Former Australian international Warren Spink was sluggish and what the Geylang officials see in new Kiwi signing Sean Fallon remains a mystery.
As for ex-Woodlands Wellington man Max Nicholson, his only contribution was an opportunistic ram from outside the box which resulted in Geylang's 18th-minute lead. Tanjong Pagar was more hardworking and creative, especially in the second period.
And credit for this must go to its young guns, national intermediates Lim Soon Seng and Basri Halis, who impressed with their gung-ho defending and off-the-ball running respectively.
What was most encouraging for the Jaguars' fans must be the capable reserves they have on the bench.
When first last-man Lim Tong Hai and then Soon Seng had to leave the field through injuries, substitutes Aidil Sahar and Azman Mohammad held the back-line steady.
Having said this, one must feel somewhat sorry for Geylang when Basri scored the equaliser in the 35th minute.
As Geylang's seasoned goalkeeper Lee said: "Ask him whether it was a fluke." Lee was guarding his near post when Basri, after exchanging a one-two with Samawira Basri, floated in a cross which curled past everyone and into the far post.
So, was it a fluke? "Yes," said the goalscorer. "It was meant for Nahar Daud."