August 21, 2004

August 21, Tampines

Tampines Rovers	3	0	Geylang United
Noh Alam Shah 9’, 26’ Mirko Grabovac  46’

Tampines Rovers scored a convincing 3-0 victory over their Eastern rival the Eagles to reach their second Singapore Cup final in 3 years.

The Eagles showed their intent with them gladly willing to sit on their lead in the first leg but Stags wasted no time in putting themselves in the drivers seat when a cross from the right into the Eagles box found Noh Alam Shah who headed past after just 9 minutes.

With away goals counting double in the Singapore Cup, it was now up to the Eagles to attack.

It was what the Eagles did as they try to keep the pressure in the Stags half but in doing so, they left themselves open for the classic sucker punch. From a Eagles corner which was cleared, Noh Alam Shah got the ball & started running forwards leaving several defenders in his wake. He pushed the ball & sprinted past the last man before pulling the trigger. Shahril Jantan had a hand to the ball but it was not enough to keep it out. 2 goals for Alam Shah & 2 goals to Tampines Rovers.

2 goals up the Stags was content to let the Eagles come at them for the rest of the half in the knowledge they have an important clash 6-pointers next week against Double Champion Home United for the S-league title

Out for the second half, the Eagles as expected pressed for the 1 goal that would take the match to extra-time. Still in truth the Eagles pressure did not resulted inthe clear cut chances they would have like as the Stags defence lead by Muratovic Sead stood firm content to hold onto their two goal lead.

They need not have worried much though as they went three-nil up from a breakaway. Mirko & Alam Shah showed the perfect attacking partnership as Mirrko passed the ball to Alam Shah who cushioned the ball with his back facing goal drawing defenders to him as Mirko make a run into the box. It was then as though Alam Shah knew what Mirko was doing & relay it exquisitely back to Mirko who slotted home with only Shahril Jantan to beat. A great move by both players showing that they could read each other mind