March 14, 2004

Roundup of the week S-league matches

March 9, 2004 Bishan

The Jaguars continued their miserable start to the season with another resounding defeat to 2003 champion Home United.

National striker Indra Sahdan Daud booked himself a place in the S-League ‘Hall of Fame’ after Jaguars Ong Leong Keon clearance off an innocuous long pass fell into Egmar Goncalves path. The former Singaporean international played an instinctive ball that caught the Jaguars defence flat-footed & as Indra raced on unchallenged he lifted the ball sublimely over Jaguars keeper Lim Min Pin.

The Second came when Thai Surachai spotted Peres lurking perilously in the Jaguars half & when his deft pass released the Brazilian free down the right, last season S-League player of the Year did not disappoint, notching his the second goal as he slotted the ball comfortably home past Min Pin. Even as the Jaguars were still reeling from the double strike, the Protectors found the back of the net again. Sutee was on the receiving end of Aidil long pass & showed plenty of shooting accuracy when his low drilled-in shot from the edge of the box crept past Min Pin at his near post. Inform striker Egmar finally got his name on the score-sheet when he tapped in a Surachai pass from inside the 6-yard box.

Thai Sutee Suksomkit sending off early in the secondhalf changed the game plan for the Protectors with Steve Darby forced to put a defensive formation to safeguard the 3 points. Nicodeme Boucher scored the Jaguars first goal of the season but there was no way back for the Jaguars.

March 10, 2004 Tampines

The Stags back at full strength crush the Young Lions confirming their status as a challenger to the S-league crown.

It was a thrilling match as both team went at each other with the first half already having 5 goals with the Stags in front at 3-2. Noh Alam Shah who was first to a through ball from skipper Nazri Nasir calmly scooped the ball over Lionel Lewis for 1-0. But the Young Lions own No.9, Ridhuan Muhamad equalized almost immediately a minute later, chipping the ball in off the post after Tampines custodian Rezal Hassan failed to gather a loose ball in his box. Agu Casmir, who had a shot well saved by Rezal a minute earlier, was the benefactor of an Itimi Dickson mishit shot in the penalty box to put the Young Lions in front. The Stags hit back when Mustafic Fahrudin saw his header strike the bottom of Lionel post but loose ball fell nicely for Mirko Grabovac who made space for himself to cut back a cross for Steven Tan to slot home for 2-2. It was end-to-end stuff from then & the Stags took lead being awarded a freekick just outside the Young Lions’ penalty area. Deadball specialist Sead Muratovic drove his kick low & hard which was only parried by Lionel for Tan Kim Leng to smash the ball in on the goal line.

The second half was equally thrilling as both sides did not tighten up even with changes. Steven Tan doubled his side lead 6 minutes after the restart, clinically converting a Noh Alam Shah cut back. The Grabovac show began just as the striker displayed brilliant individual skill by bringing the ball all the way from midfield before calmly slotting the ball past Lionel. Noh Alam Shah was sent tumbling by Lionel for a penalty. The Singapore international took the spot kick himself but could only strike the ball against the post. Nevertheless, he redeemed himself in the 70th minute by unselfishly cushioning a header for Grabovac to power a header into the roof of the net. As the score stood at 6-2, Agu & Itimi combined well on the left flank which saw Rezal only parrying the latter’s fierce shot straight to Agu who pulled one back 12 minutes from time.

Stags coach Vorawan was happy with result but express concern about the defending as the club has already leaked 6 goals in 2 games. He feels the need to look at the area during training.

March 11, 2004 Jurong East

The Eagles indiscipline cost them again as they lost a lead build up in the first half with defender Noh Rahman send off.

In the second half, 4 goals in the space of 7 minutes by Albirex Niigata killed off the Eagles.

Eagles coach Scott O'Donell is at loss of words to explain the collapse in the second half by his team & the continued foul trouble his team is finding themselves in.

March 12, 2004 Toa Poyah

The Warriors got their season on the road with a victory & showed that their strength this season is their strong backline as they shut out the Tigers after after going getting a goal early.

Warriors Captain Nenad Bacina rose to head home after a free-kick was floated into the box. That was in fact the first shot on target in a match where neither team had made any serious headway prior to that.

As the match wore on, there was a recurring theme. Balestier Tigers were unable to make headway inside the Warriors penalty area with SAFFC Warriors doing the same thing but there was a difference – the Warriors did not need to as they had already scored.