July 31, 2004

Roundup of the week S-league

July 27, 2004 Toa Poyah

Balestier Khalsa	0	2	SAFFC
			Ashrin Shariff 9’, 59’

Ashrin Shariff’s double header helped SAF see off the challenge of Balestier Khalsa at the Toa Payoh Stadium. Ashrin struck inside ten minutes of each half’s kick-off, turning in a fine performance in which he could have gotten more than his 2 goals if he had been deadier with his finishing.

His first goal came when Jonathon Angelluci’s cross found an unmarked Ashrin just inside the six-yard box who headed accurately into the corner of the Tigers’ goal. After that on 20 minutes, Ashrin had another headed attempt on goal off a pin-point Gusta Guzarishah cross, but it was not good enough to beat Bashir Khan in the Tigers’ goal who make an easy save. 5 minutes before the end of the half, Gusta ball inside to Ashrin found the striker in space at the top of the box. Ashrin immediately fired a stinging drive that unfortunately lacked placement, landing into the waiting arms of keeper Bashir. Had he taken his chances, Ashrin would have had a hat-trick before the half was up.

Finally Ashrin struck again with his head 10 minutes after the re-start. Dalis supplied the in-swinging corner, Bennet the head-on & Ashrin rose highest among 3 Warriors players, to provide the finishing touch into an empty goal-mouth as Bashir was caught in no man’s land between Bennet & Ashrin. Ashrin Sharif had a final opportunity to net his hat-trick this season, but was thwarted by Durante James who charged down his powerful shot from inside the box.

July 28, 2004 Jurong East

Albirex Niigata	1	1	Geylang United
Eiichiro Ozaki 84’			Fazrul Nawaz 44’

The Swans & the Eagles fought to a 1-1 draw to maintain their position in mid-table as the 2 clubs continued to hover in no man land.

July 29, 2004 Woodlands

Woodlands Wellington

0

0

Sinchi

Woodlands Wellington failed keep pace with league leaders, Home United, when they were held to a goalless draw on their own turf by Sinchi. On a night when Woodlands Wellington could have gone level on points with the Young Lions and secured themselves the fourth position, the Rams just could not find a way to break down Sinchi thus leaving their title hopes almost finished.

July 30, 2004 Bishan

Home United	6	2	TPUFC
Peres De Oliveira 44’, 73’ Egmar Gonclaves 45’, 90’ Indra Sahdan 67’, 77’			Haris Sumri 24’ Benoit Salviat 51’

Taking advantage of the second chances given to them, Double Champion Home United thrashed Jaguars 6-2 at Bishan.

The first match was aborted after 50 minutes & in the replay match many was shocked when the visitors grab the lead against the Double Champion but the Protectors restored order before the half was up scoring 2 goals against the Jaguars to lead 2-1 at half time. The second half saw the introduction of Indra Sahdan & it proved all the difference as he restored Home United lead after the Jaguars equalized. This time there was no Jaguars comeback as the Protectors first choice strikeforce of Peres, Egmar & Indra each scored another goal each to ensure a thrashing for the Jaguars.

July 30, 2004 Tampines

Tampines Rovers	6	2	Young Lions
Steven Tan 30’ Sead Muratovic 52’ Noh Alam Shah 62’, 81’ Mirko Grabovac 68’, 92’			Shahril Ishak 24’ Agu Casmir 35’

Tampines Rovers dealt a potential knock-out blow to fellow title challenger Young Lions' hopes by overcoming a 1-2 deficit at halftime to emerge 6-2 winners at the end of a cracking game.This is the second time Young Lions have conceded six goals at the Tampines Stadium following their 3-6 defeat back in March & this time it proved more crucial as they now find themselves 6 points off the pace behind Home UnitedOnce again, it was the partnership of Noh Alam Shah & Mirko Grabovac that proved to be the Young Lions’ bane as the Stags made the most of their numerical advantage after Seric Vladan was sent off for 2 reckless tackles near the end of the first half. It was cruel on the Young Lions because prior to the defender’s dismissal, they had the upper hand after clinical finishing saw them take the lead twice. Shahril Ishak put the Young Lions ahead after teammate Farizal Basri failed to connect with Ridhuan Muhamad’s centre but Jamil Ali was on hand to fire in another cross for Shahril to bundle home from 5 yards.

However, the lead only lasted 8 minutes as good build-up from Stags midfield saw Mustafic Fahrudin threading a through pass to Steven Tan who slotted past Hassan Sunny at his far post. Young Lions regained the lead again after Zulkarnaen Zainal dallied too long over the ball at the top of his penalty box, allowing Shahril to dispossess him before passing to Agu Casmir to claim his 17th goal of the season.However everything fell apart for the Young Lions after Seric was shown his second yellow card 6 minutes before the break for chopping down Santi Chaiyaphuak on the left flank.In the second half, the Young Lions a man down soon found themselves back on level term after keeper Hassan brought down Ismail Fitrey to concede a penalty kick which was dispatched away by Sead Muratovic for the equalizer. Agu then failed to take the chance that went in his way which would have given his team the lead for the third time when he first failed to connect cleanly with Ridhuan right wing cross with the ball but it still beat keeper Rezal although not the post as it misses by inches.

There was the moment for Mirko Grabovac to come on as a substitute for Ismail to run the show with Noh Alam Shah. Aliff Shafaein amazingly hit the post in front of a gaping goal after Grabovac had cut back a cross but from the rebound, Santi pumped in a cross for Alam Shah to head home. Then Alam Shah used his physical advantage to win a battle on the Young Lions left & cutback to Grabovac who doubled the Stags lead with a powerful shot which Hassan had no chance to save. Alam Shah ended any hopes of a Young Lions comeback 9 minutes from time as he pounced onto a loose ball to fire past Hassan after Precious Emuejeraye deflected his initial pass to Grabovac back. The scoring was completed 1 minute into injury time when Aliff broke the offside trap and squared the ball to Grabovac who rounded Noor Ikhsan before poking into an empty net.