Match Number 73
Date 7 June 2001 Time 7:30:00 PM
Competition:
Home Team Woodlands Wellington FC Away Team Gombak United FC
Stadium Woodlands Attendance 1615
Referee Krishan Lai Giri Reserve Referee Sagadevan Reddy
Assistant Referee 1 Lutif Emir Assistant Referee 2 Jarrod Lim
Match Commissioner Chua Peng Huat
SLEAGUE.COM Man of the Match: Effendy Subtu (Gombak United FC)
Once again, Woodlands Wellington had lost 2 valuable points in their home game when they played to a 1-1 draw against Gombak United FC.
In a disappointing night, the Rams had a clear penalty claim turned down in the last minute of the game. The Woodlands Wellington goal scorer Masalan Mahat was hacked down from behind when he was winding up for a shot, but referee Krishan Lai Giri chose to turn away the claim. Many Rams' fans were booing the referees when they were heading towards the dressing room as they felt that the referee had denied them a chance to overtake Gombak United in the league table.
Woodlands Wellington should had taken a 2 goals lead into the dressing room for the half time breather, but they were denied by the excellent goal keeping by the man-of-the-match Effendy Subtu. The ex-Clementi keeper did well to save 2 headers both off corners from striker Josko Parac and defender Petar Dajak in the 32nd and 44th minute respectively.
However, the second half was turned into an exciting affair when Woodlands Wellington striker Masalan Mahat score his first goal for the Rams and also his first in the S-league. A low cross from Josko Parac into the penalty box allowed Masalan to score from close range.
But their lead only lasted 10 minutes when Gombak United PR Jorge Steinebrunner scored a spectacular goal from 30 meter out. The German struck a rocket like shot into goal as the Woodlands Wellington keeper Faizal Ali could only parry into his own net.
A carbon-copy shot by Jorge Steinebrunner in the 71st minute nearly won it for the Bulls, but it was only denied by the cross bar.
As the Rams were going for the killer goal in the closing stages of the game, they were once again denied by the heroic save of Effendy Subtu. This could be verified by their midfielder Jeykanth Jeyapal and striker Masalan Mahat as they could only stand and admire the reflexes of Effendy.
The draw leaves the Rams in 10th position with 13 points from 13 games. The Woodlands Wellington supporters must be hoping their new Liberian striker Emmett Glassco can help their club achieve a better standing in the S-league.
Woodlands Wellington FC Goal scorers
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
24 Masalan Mahat 48
Gombak United FC Goal scorers
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
17 Jorg Steinbrunner 59
Woodlands Wellington FC Substitutions
Jersey No. Player(Out) >> Player(In) Event Time (min)
9 >> 11 Josko Parac >> Esad Sejdic 41
3 >> 4 Shawaluddin Zainal Abidin >> Saminathan Dinakaran 66
Gombak United FC Substitutions
Jersey No. Player(Out) >> Player(In) Event Time (min)
19 >> 7 Saswadimata Dasuki >> Eric Kwek 53
3 >> 30 Khairi Mawi >> Firdaus Salleh 76
Gombak United FC Cautions
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
8 Roy Yeo 45
Match Number: 074
Date 7 June 2001 Time 7:30:00 PM
Competition:
Home Team Home United FC Away Team Singapore Armed Forces FC
Stadium Bishan Attendance 4252
Referee Shamsul Maidin Reserve Referee Ismail Surdi
Assistant Referee 1 Nordin Sawodi Assistant Referee 2 Megat Azman
Match Commissioner A. Raamasamy
SLEAGUE.COM Man of the Match: Egmar Goncalves (Home United FC)
Match Details
By Alvyn Lim
Home United were 'crowned' the 2001 S.League Champions at the Bishan Stadium tonight. However, it was their arch rival SAFFC's team manager LTC(NS) Kok Wai Leong that presented the accolade to the Protectors.
Said LTC Kok at the post match conference after his sidess embarrassing 4-0 loss to the home side, "Without disrespect to the other teams, I think we're just played the 2001 S.league Champions tonight.
"If they play like they did tonight for the rest of the season, I think they'll be a very difficult team to beat."
Things started to go very wrong for the visitors when Egmar Concalves put his side in the lead just after 4 minutes. Australian George Kulcsar stole the ball from Mohairudyn Romly, laid it off for Egmar, whose shot got deflected into Rezal Hassan's goal. That goal set the pace for the match, which saw many goalmouth actions.
The Warriors fought back bravely, but were unable to penetrate a stubborn Home United defence. The Protectors were the side that looked more likely to score. Egmar's striking partner Indra Sahdan was a constant treat in the SAFFC defence. Veselko Paponja, the man assigned to mark Indra, looked out of sorts as he was unable to keep up with Indra's pace.
Just when SAFFC looked like scoring, Home got their second goal in the 42nd minute. Harun Jumaat dribbled down the left flank, turned Yunos Samad and sends a stiff grounder into the penalty box that caught the SAFFC backline off guard. Egmar sneaked up from behind for an easy tap-in to give his side a comfortable lead at half time.
The second half started of with a bang when Egmar struck once again. A through ball put behind Nenad Bacina saw Egmar in a one-on-one face off with Rezal. He coolly slotted the ball into the far corner for his hat trick. He was one goal away from the 100-goal mark!
The pressure was on the defending champions. Coach Fandi Ahmad made 2 quick substitutions, taking off the ineffective pair of Romly and Yunos with Vincent Sim and Dalis Supait. Moments later, the entire stadium cheered on loudly as Singapore's favourite footballing son got up and walked towards the fourth official's table. He brought himself on for new Thai signing Vimon Juncum.
However, Fandi's return to playing did not help his team very much. He was very much off the pace and constantly lost possession. However, he did have a shot at goal, an acrobatic scissors kick that went wide. A few years earlier and he would have put the ball into the goal. More salt was rubbed into their wounds when winger Hafizat Jauharmi got sent-off after a second bookable offence in the 87th minute.
In the closing moments of the match, the final nail on the coffin was nailed in by Egmar himself, with his 100th goal in 6 years of S.league football! Another dazzling run by Harun down the left flank saw him square the ball for Egmar to tap in.
"We were totally outplayed and outclassed. We lost the battle in midfield. They had some very good foreigners playing." LTC Kok said.
Responding to his counterpart's compliments, Home United coach Robert Alberts said that mathematically speaking, it is still not over as yet, and that SAFFC still have a chance.
"This was our best game of the season so far, but it's not all over yet."
The man of the moment was Egmar, who dedicated his century of goals to his wife and daughters who have been supporting him at every match he has played for in the past 6 years. And what a way to score his 100th goal, over archrivals SAFFC!
There was icing on the cake for Home United as they learnt that a record crowd was in attendance at the Bishan Stadium, with 4,252 fans turning up despite the increase of 3 dollars for adult tickets. The Home United team management wants to thank all the supporters who have turned up despite the price hike.
It was a disappointing match for the defending champions as they lost their fifth match of the season. While coach Fandi will have to sort things out with his team, we could have a new champion at the end of this year.
Home United FC Goal scorers
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
9 Egmar Goncalves 4
9 Egmar Goncalves 43
9 Egmar Goncalves 50
9 Egmar Goncalves 92
Home United FC Substitutions
Jersey No. Player(Out) >> Player(In) Event Time (min)
3 >> 17 Indra Sahdan Daud >> Yazid Sawal 50
20 >> 18 George Kulcsar >> Sha'aban Pon 86
Singapore Armed Forces FC Substitutions
Jersey No. Player(Out) >> Player(In) Event Time (min)
25 >> 6 Mohairudyn Romly >> Vincent Sim 51
20 >> 19 Yunos Abdul Samad >> Dalis Supait 53
10 >> 8 Vimon Juncum >> Fandi Bin Ahmad 54
Home United FC Cautions
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
20 George Kulcsar 23
Singapore Armed Forces FC Cautions
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
11 Hafizat Jauharmi 37
11 Hafizat Jauharmi 89
Singapore Armed Forces FC Expulsions
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
11 Hafizat Jauharmi 89
Match Number: 075
Date 8 June 2001 Time 7:30:00 PM
Competition:
Home Team Balestier Central FC Away Team Geylang United FC
Stadium Unknown Attendance 2269
Referee Abdul Malik Reserve Referee S.K. Kennedy
Assistant Referee 1 Lau Kok Kong Assistant Referee 2 George Lee
Match Commissioner Sulaini Said
SLEAGUE.COM Man of the Match: Nebojsa Vukosavljevic (Geylang United FC)
Match Details
By Ko Po Hui
It was to say whenever which team is on form, no matter what sort of resistance put by its opponents, this particular team will easily steam-rolled them. Once again this theory was proven here at Toa Payoh, right in the centre of Singapore.
For this match, the current league leader, Geylang United paid a visit to the Toa Payoh Stadium a.k.a. the Tiger Lair, the home of Balestier Central.
Previous record shown that, except for last season s win, the Eagles record at the same venue, since the inception of the league, is nothing to be proud of it
Armed with the determination to lengthen its stay on top of the table and a second straight win at Toa Payoh, the Geylang Eagles kicked off the game. But first and foremost, they would have to overcome a persistent Balestier Tigers.
Prior, to this game, Balestierss coach, Mr PN Sivaji had make clear that his charges will adapted its well-drilled absorb & attack to counter the high-flying Eagles. Truth to his words, the home side stationed a bastion of defenders in the penalty area and triggered its offences whenever there’s a slip-up in the visitor’s attacks.With national left back, Ali Imran Lomri and Thai import, Daorueang Krongpol, as the wide flankers , Balestier tried to make their inroad into Geylang s backline, unfortunately, the same old problem thwarted it all the lack of a quality striker to finish up the product (the cross), produced from the surging run from these wide flankers , thus most efforts were squandered away. One typical example took place in the 13th minute, Aussie midfielder, Josip Kozic saw his shot went wide, after freed himself from the Geylang s defenders, following pass from the bald headed international.
Geylang, on the other hands, however still found itself unable to crack open the tough nutshell of the Tigers defences, despite having some top quality finishers on their payroll, such as Alexander Duric, Brian Bothwell and Nebojsa Vukosavljevic.
The trio, who were accounted for 28 goals scored for league leaders, before this meeting, proved that in spite of the water-tight defence, nothing is proved to be a difficult task, as eventually, the deadlock was unloosen in the closing moments of the 1st half.
Alexander Duric opened the account in the 41st minute, through a header; this goal must have somehow diminished the confidence of Balestier, as they uncharacteristic let in the 2nd goal 2 minutes later, an unmarked Brian Bothwell at the receiving end from a long pass, in the box, mercilessly drove a low shot to left of the goal.
What a play by Geylang, who did a great job in unsettle the Tigers, ending the first half, 2 goals up.
In order to overcome the 2 goals deficit, Balestier coach Sivaji had little option therefore instructed his men, to opt for a more attacking alternative, when the game resumed for the 2nd half.
For a while, it was though that it just a matter of time before the Eagles would allow the Tiger to score, judging from the way the Tigers prowled around the Eagles nest (the penalty area).
Too bad for the host again, this time round, Nebojsa Vukosavljevic punished the Tiger, with his 6th goal of the season, and the 3rd goal of the night, with most of the red-shirted players not in their half!! in 61th minute.
Clearly must be a night when, everything went wrong for the Tigers, as the thought of the earlier substitution of bringing on strikers Yusri Waris and Faizal Sazali would help to turn the tide, sadly it was not to be, the night of agony was probably best summed up in the 73rd when, Yusri only had the goal at his mercy, when put his wide .
Then again, with 3rd round yet to play and the league just progress into the 2nd phrase, whether will Geylang United still able to keep up its pace, and claim its 2nd S-League title in 6 years, it still too early to confirm it.
Congrats Geylang for this victory.
Geylang United FC Goal scorers
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
9 Aleksandar Duric 41
10 Brian Bothwell 43
8 Nebojsa Vukosavljevic 61
Balestier Central FC Substitutions
Jersey No. Player(Out) >> Player(In) Event Time (min)
12 >> 14 Tan Sio Beng >> Yusri Waris 57
26 >> 32 Daun Mathew >> Faizal Sazali 57
6 >> 13 Faizal Jumaat >> Iskandar Latiff 75
Geylang United FC Substitutions
Jersey No. Player(Out) >> Player(In) Event Time (min)
14 >> 17 Basri Halis >> Syed Mohammad Fadhil 77
19 >> 18 Noor Ali >> Robin Chitrakar 83
Balestier Central FC Cautions
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
16 Johari Husin 69
Geylang United FC Cautions
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
5 Noh Rahman 5
Match Number: 076
Date 8 June 2001 Time 7:30:00 PM
Competition:
Home Team Tampines Rovers FC Away Team Sembawang Rangers FC
Stadium Tampines Attendance 1962
Referee Timothy Dennison Reserve Referee R. Vijay
Assistant Referee 1 K. Vlsvanathan Assistant Referee 2 S. Ragavachari
Match Commissioner Edward Silas
SLEAGUE.COM Man of the Match: Niweat Siriwong (Sembawang Rangers FC)
Match Details
By Eswandy Sarip
It is a fixture that is so unpredictable for these 2 similarly unpredictable teams. And unpredictable was how the fixture turned out to be on this humid Friday night at the Tampines Stadium. Witnessed by 1962 fans, Tampines Rovers started out the evening on a jubilant mood. They were handed the Giantkiller-of-the-Week award for last week s heroics against league leaders Geylang United in a nail-biting 2-2 draw much to the delight of the home crowd.
Tampines Rovers starts the game without the still suspended Jerry Bartholomeusz and Adriano Reis, again on the bench. Sead Muratovic returns to the Stags defence enabling Marcelo Da Silva, star defender in last game, to be back upfront as star striker.
On the other hand, Sembawang Stallions was rolled over last week by the rampant Home United 1-4 in front of their own fans at the Yishun Stadium and that obviously did little in raising spirits for this encounter. Missing key players Bamrung Boonprom and Ibrahim Noh, only the return of their prodigal son Noh Alam Shah back into the Stallions stable would help pack some gallop in the Stallions front-line.
The match started furiously and it took the Stags only 6 minutes for put their faithful fans back to their feet again. Joselito Da Silva slipped past his aggressor with ease, and from 30 metres hit a left-shooter which ackwardly bounced in front of the goal. A diving Yazid Yasin failed to palm the ball safely which instead spun in off his left post into the goal to give the Stags an early lead. Then it was all Tampines from then on. Firing from all angles, they found Stallions custodian Yazid in fine form. His immaculate positioning and agility helped him pull off 2 world-class saves. First from a Nahar Daud volley and the second from a Lito rocket. Both point-blank and both amazingly saved by the young lad.
The two Thai terrors Tawan Sripan and Thawatchai Ongtrakul strangely had a quiet game in the first half. Seen around the stadium was an entourage of the Thai press and tv crew covering the game. Not surprisingly looking at the number of Thais in the Stallions ranks.
The Stallions tried to have its pie of the game with its young striker Ismail Fitrey looking refreshingly dangerous. Though out-of-sync with Noh Alam Shah at times, the Stallions should have a healthy partnership going on in attack in the long run. Ismail even had a goal disallowed by referee Timothy Dennison for a push on Noorisham Zainon. Even more dubious decisions by Dennison against the visitors invited abuses and angry gestures from the travelling supporters of the Stallions.
Tampines Rovers somehow needed something magical to silence the visiting crowd. And it came in the form of Marcelo Da Silva. Supported ably by Adriano Reis who came in in the 1st half for a visibly angry Nahar Daud, Marcelo looked more and more dangerous as the match wore on. In the 71st minute, Marcelo got into one of his mazy dribbling. He danced past 3 Stallions in a spin move and instantly walloped a low rocket from just outside the penalty area. The ball ricocheted off Yazid s left post and it spun perfectly into the goal. 2-0 and Tampines looked like they have got the match in their hands but no, the Stallions launched a revival of sorts.
Right after the restart, an instant reaction to that Marcelo goal had everyone stunned. Thawatchai from the left side found Ismail Fitrey in the penalty area. He lobbed it in and the youngster from in front of the goal nodded home sweetly into the goal that shook the Stags. The game transformed into a thriller out of the sudden. A minute later Thawatchai again supplied the cross. This time to Noh Alam Shah. The lad chested the ball down but in the process was plugged down by Jaslee Hatta. Referee Timothy Dennsion pointed straight at the spot. Tawan Sripan then got the Yishun faithful on their feet as he sent Noorisham the wrong way from the spot.
It was a tension-filled closing minutes forcing the crowd to the edge of their seats as Marcelo got a goal disallowed and Noh Alam Shah had a precise header rocking Noorisham s crossbar. The exchange of blows continued till the end. Syed Faruk horribly misses a sitter, a one-on-one situation and he fluffed it much to the horror of the Tampines bench. Then Khairani Sanuci the young Stallion slipped past the Tampines backline, but his curling shot just swerved too much away from the goal. And as the referee blew for the end of the battle, everyone should agree a draw was a desirable and fair result for both sides.
FULL TIME
UNOFFICIAL MATCH STATISTICS BELOW
Tampines Rovers FC Goal scorers
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
11 Joselito Da Silva 6
9 Marcelo Da Silva 71
Sembawang Rangers FC Goal scorers
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
13 Ismail Fitrey 71
10 Tawan Sripan 73
Tampines Rovers FC Substitutions
Jersey No. Player(Out) >> Player(In) Event Time (min)
8 >> 10 Nahar Daud >> Adriano Reis 35
13 >> 17 Lee Man Hon >> Haffiz Nabrawi 85
Sembawang Rangers FC Substitutions
Jersey No. Player(Out) >> Player(In) Event Time (min)
14 >> 16 M Ramesh >> Imran Sahib 30
18 >> 39 Noh Alam Shah >> Azul Juahryzam 92
Tampines Rovers FC Cautions
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
10 Adriano Reis 40
Sembawang Rangers FC Cautions
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
6 Taufiq Samadi 40
Match Number: 077
Date 9 June 2001 Time 7:30:00 PM
Competition:
Home Team Jurong FC Away Team Tanjong Pagar United FC
Stadium Jurong East Attendance
Referee R Vijay Reserve Referee Abdul Malik
Assistant Referee 1 Mohd Ali Assistant Referee 2 Nordin Sawodi
Match Commissioner Franklin Miranda
SLEAGUE.COM Man of the Match: Djamel Achouri (Tanjong Pagar United FC)
Match Details
By Chang Kay Leong
Jurong s Cobras and Tanjong Pagar s Jaguars played out a 1-1 draw that showcased the best that the S.League has to offer, set to hard and fast rules.
With not a single boring moment in the 90, both teams provided a thoroughly enjoyable display for a full house Jurong East Stadium and a live television audience.
As the Jaguars played fast-ball snake charmer, experienced Jurong managed to claw their way back into the match with their hard work and guile.
Korean striker Park Tae Won s volleyed equaliser in the 76th minute nabbed a deserved point for the Cobras, as they managed to make some good of their larger share of possession.
It was Tanjong Pagar who drew the first chance early on in the 3rd minute, but Sutee Suksomkit found himself drawn too wide by Rudy Khairon s through ball, and his angled shot was pushed out by Bashir Khan.
The home side soon had their go, with young winger Itimi Dickson heading over from Park s cross. They then came even closer in the 18th minute, as Zakaria Awang found space off a deflected cross from Dickson to place his shot past Jaguars keeper Dragan Talajic. But captain Lim Tong Hai just managed to snap the shot off the line.
Two minutes later, saviour Lim nearly let down his side, his fluff off a seemingly routine clearance nearly letting in Toh Choon Ming. Talajic though was alert with a quick block.
A breathless first 30 minutes had seen a host of intriguing battles, with TP coach Tohari Paijan’s 4-5-1 formation trying to catch Jurong on fast breaks employing the speed of Suksomkit.
To work though the plan required a resolute defence and that the Jaguars did have, as Lim and Ratna Suffian cleaned up their area with aplomb, and Daniel Bennett largely keeping the measure of Park.
Their attack was not lacking either, as Suksomkit was just unable to capitalise on a poor back pass, and Dickson taking his turn to clear a goal bound effort off the line from a corner.
The half ended with Talajic tipping over an A. Sivakumar cracker at full stretch, capping an action packed first 45 minutes.
The Jaguars came out for the second half with a more direct 4-4-2 style, and were soon looking for the kill. Suksomkit had a 1-on-1 effort well smothered by Bashir, but he only had to wait til the 58th minute to make his mark.
Substitute Haris Sumri s cross from the right deflected into the path of Rudy Khairon in the box, and his stabbed shot trickled into the corner of Bashir s goal off the slightest of touches from Suksomkit.
On the hour Haris nearly got his side s second, but he just failed to connect fully with a header. It looked like the Jaguars would pay three minutes later, but Park sent his penalty well wide after Dickson had been brought down.
The Cobras did get their reward 13 minutes from the end, as Dickson flicked a cross to Park, who volleyed home with his left foot into the top of the net. TP s well wrought game plan and hard work had been undone by an instant where they were not as tight in defence as they had been throughout the whole game.
All that remains to be said after this firecracker of a match is that if you missed it, you missed a real treat.
Jurong FC Goal scorers
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
16 Park Tae Won 76
Tanjong Pagar United FC Goal scorers
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
11 Sutee Suksomkit 58
Jurong FC Substitutions
Jersey No. Player(Out) >> Player(In) Event Time (min)
17 >> 8 Zakaria Awang >> Marko Kraljevic 70
9 >> 33 Toh Choon Ming >> Fazli Rashid 85
Tanjong Pagar United FC Substitutions
Jersey No. Player(Out) >> Player(In) Event Time (min)
18 >> 4 Johaness Idris >> Haris Sumri 46
3 >> 19 Erza Aripin >> Ahmad Ashik 80
Tanjong Pagar United FC Cautions
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
17 Fathi Yunus 55
Match Number: 078
Date 9 June 2001 Time 7:30:00 PM
Competition:
Home Team Marine Castle United FC Away Team Clementi Khalsa FC
Stadium Hougang Attendance 2,183
Referee T. Ramesh Reserve Referee Ismail Surdi
Assistant Referee 1 S. Ragavachari Assistant Referee 2 Ravi Govindram
Match Commissioner Amarjeet Singh
SLEAGUE.COM Man of the Match: Michael Lomax (Marine Castle United FC)
Match Details
By Justin Gek
Man of the match Michael Lomax scored his first goal in the 74th minute to give Rovers a third win of the season.
Lomax's winner, a flashing header following a right wing cross of a free kick from defender Noraidit Mahat, broke Clementi Khalsa's hearts after they had put up a brilliant defensive display in which 19-year-old goalkeeper Phang Chin Guan played a starring role.
But just as it looked as though Vlado Bozinoski and co would hold out, up popped Lomax to stun the visitors.
Marine Castle had trailed after first minute of second half to a well-taken shot from striker Hafiz Esah but had equalised fifteen minutes later courtesy of a solid header from young striker Ashrin Shariff from a corner kick.
Marine Castle created many scoring chances and should have made them count.
Time and again Chin Guan came to Clementi's rescue, not least with two superb saves to first deny Adrian Yeo and then from Ashrin Shariff.
A shot from Ashrin Shariff was destined for the top corner until Chin Guan dived to push the ball away with his hands.
It appeared that Marine Castle would settle for a point. But they continued to push forward and after forcing a series of corners, following a free kick Lomax headed his first goal to clinch victory for Forest.
It was a sweet revenge for the dolphins after what had happened during their first encounter back in Clementi Stadium. The dolphins were then robbed of an away victory.
Marine Castle United FC Goal scorers
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
18 Ashrin Shariff 68
4 Michael Lomax 76
Clementi Khalsa FC Goal scorers
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
6 Hafiz Esah 47
Marine Castle United FC Substitutions
Jersey No. Player(Out) >> Player(In) Event Time (min)
19 >> 24 Mohd Nor Zadi >> Rosman Sulaiman 56