September 22, 2004

AFC Cup 2004 Quarter-finals – Second Leg

Geylang United wrote themselves into S-league history after a 3-2 win over 2003 M-League Perak at Bedok. Already leading 2-1 from last week’s first leg in Ipoh, the victory ensure an overall 5-3 aggregate triumph.

Now Geylang United had become the first ever Singapore side to qualify for any Asian Club competition.

It was a Perak weakened by injuries to a number of key players, but the Eagles showed little mercy in a brilliant first half as they built an unassailable lead. Save for an early Perak scare when the Northern Malaysia team hit the crossbar with a Chan Wing Hoong free-kick, it was all the Eagles in the first half. First the Malaysian team’s defence was breached in the when Duric broke free on the left to drill a low cross into the box for midfielder Hasrin Jailani to slide in. Roles were then reversed for the Eagles second when this time it was Hasrin who was the assister while Duric the scorer. Hasrin send Duric through with a delightful flick with the outside of his right foot & the Eagles captain duly obliged with an emphatic finish past Perak custodian Hamsani Ahmad. Perak simply had no answers to the Eagles swift attacking & it was no surprise when they found themselves 3 down 5 minutes before the break. Duric slipped a through pass to 18-year-old strike partner Fazrul & the teenager scrambled the ball past Hamsani at the second attempt.

At half time, the Eagles had a 5-1 aggregate lead & looked on course for the semi-final of the inaugural AFC Cup

But a shambolic second showing by the Eagles ruined their showing as Perak reduced the deficit through Syamsul Mohamed Saad. He curled home a free-kick past Eagles custodian Shahril Jantan. Then into injury time, Perak make the score respectable as a Surendren’s shot from the edge of the area squirm under Shahril Jantan grasp into the net.