Match Number: 091
Date 28 June 2001 Time 7:30:00 PM
Competition:
Home Team Jurong FC Away Team Marine Castle United FC
Stadium Jurong East Attendance 2302
Referee N. Santhan Reserve Referee Sagadevan Reddy
Assistant Referee 1 S. Ragavachari Assistant Referee 2 Mohd Nasim
Match Commissioner Edward Silas
SLEAGUE.COM Man of the Match: Park Tae Won (Jurong FC)
Match Details
By Anthony Tay
Alan Vest was made to pay for his comment when his visiting Marine Castle United was thrashed 6-2 by Jurong FC at the Jurong East Stadium.
Vest has earlier commented that Jurong FC is no world-beaters and is optimistic that his charges can pull off a good result against the Cobras. However, the Cobras were simply too strong for the Dolphins and with the help of South Korean striker Park Tae Won, Jurong convincingly stamped its class over the spirited but inferior Dolphins. Even the 2 goals scored by Marine Castle were due to Jurong’s defensive errors, suggesting that Marine Castle still has a long way to go before it can seriously challenge for top honour.
The match itself was exciting right from the beginning. As early as the 13th min, Marine Castle drew first blood when a penalty was awarded, after T.Ramoo’s tackle caught the foot of Thomas English in the penalty box. Thomas English himself stepped up to send Bashir Khan the wrong way from the spot. The early goal immediately evoked a response from the host, but Crljen’s long shot in the 14th min went over the bar. However, he made no mistake in the next minute when Amos Boon’s poor goal kick landed onto him, who then threaded a through ball to Park Tae Won. Park’s initial shot was partially cleared by Boon but his follow up, with the help of the intervening Zakaria Awang, was enough to beat Amos Boon and equalize for Jurong.
Jurong nearly took the lead in the 24th min, when Zakaria’s header from Park’s corner was cleared off the line by a Marine Castle defender. Jurong again threatened in the 32nd min, but Amos Boon made amends for his earlier mistake by saving Park’s one-on-one stiff shot. However, there is no denying of Jurong in the 41st min, when Lomax apparently tripped Zakaria Awang in the box. Referee N.Santhan decided to give the home side the benefit of the doubt and pointed to the spot, much to the anger of Lomax. Crljen converted the penalty to give Jurong a 2-1 lead at half-time.
After the break, both sides slowed down the tempo of the game but there were still plenty of actions on the pitch. Jurong has a handball appeal turned down in the 54th min when Lomax was caught handling Sivakumar’s cross in the box. Jurong was however able to extend its lead in the 60th min, courtesy of its quicksilver winger, Itimi Dickson who single-handedly destroyed Marine Castle’s left flank with his pace, skill and acceleration. The exciting 17 year old beat 2 defenders before cutting in and sending a powerful grounder that has Amos Boon beaten, for the best goal of the night. The happy Ghanaian made a celebratory run around the opponent’s half before picking up a small Singapore flag and waved enthusiastically. Perhaps, he is hoping for a PR status to come?
It was party time when Jurong further extended its lead to 4-1 in the 74th min. Sivakumar’s far post cross found an unmarked Park, who nonchalantly headed the ball into goal. However, Bashir Khan decided to do something silly in the 83rd min when his poor clearance was gifted into the path of Adrian Yeo, who advanced to slot the ball into the net to make it 4-2.
Still, Jurong was dominating. It even scored its 5th goal in the 86th min, involving all 3 of its substitutes. Marko Kraljevic’s calculated through ball to the right was met first time by Imran Mohd, whose cross was converted into goal by Toh Choon Ming’s glancing header. But Jurong was not done yet. Park Tae Won outpaced his marker in the 91st min to reach to a long ball from midfield, before hitting it past Amos Boon for his second hattrick in the 2001 S-League, and Jurong’s 6th and final goal of the night.
Jurong FC First Eleven
Jersey No. Name Position
1 Bashir Khan GK
5 Bojan Hodak DF
7 V Selvaraj MF
10 Velimir Crijen MF
12 A Siva Kumar MF
14 E. Manimohan DF
15 T Ramoo MF
16 Park Tae Won FW
17 Zakaria Awang MF
19 Goh Tat Chuan MF
22 Itimi Dickson Edherefe FW
Marine Castle United FC First Eleven
Jersey No. Name Position
1 Amos Boon GK
3 Zainal Yusoff DF
4 Michael Lomax DF
5 Barrie Keeling MF
6 Junaidi Kassim DF
9 Anthony Carbone MF
10 Thomas English FW
15 Adrian Yeo MF
18 Ashrin Shariff FW
19 Mohd Nor Zadi MF
20 Noraidit Mahat MF
Jurong FC Substitutes
Jersey No. Name Position
3 Abdul Latiff Abdullah DF
8 Marko Kraljevic MF
9 Toh Choon Ming FW
11 E Vadevellu GK
13 Syed Idros Hassan DF
18 V Sundram Moorthy FW
20 Imran Mohamed MF
Marine Castle United FC Substitutes
Jersey No. Name Position
7 Norisham Musahar MF
11 Firdaus Salleh FW
13 Syed Anwar Zainol Abidin GK
14 Razali Ahmad MF
24 Rosman Sulaiman DF
27 Johnson Mutaya DF
Jurong FC Goal scorers
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
16 Park Tae Won 15
10 Velimir Crijen 42
22 Itimi Dickson Edherefe 60
16 Park Tae Won 74
9 Toh Choon Ming 85
16 Park Tae Won 91
Marine Castle United FC Goal scorers
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
10 Thomas English 13
15 Adrian Yeo 82
Jurong FC Substitutions
Jersey No. Player(Out) >> Player(In) Event Time (min)
17 >> 9 Zakaria Awang >> Toh Choon Ming 70
10 >> 8 Velimir Crijen >> Marko Kraljevic 77
22 >> 20 Itimi Dickson Edherefe >> Imran Mohamed 79
Marine Castle United FC Substitutions
Jersey No. Player(Out) >> Player(In) Event Time (min)
19 >> 24 Mohd Nor Zadi >> Rosman Sulaiman 63
6 >> 7 Junaidi Kassim >> Norisham Musahar 73
Jurong FC Cautions
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
7 V Selvaraj 55
14 E. Manimohan 81
Marine Castle United FC Cautions
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
4 Michael Lomax 74
10 Thomas English 79
Match Number: 092
Date 28 June 2001 Time 7:30:00 PM
Competition:
Home Team Sembawang Rangers FC Away Team Gombak United FC
Stadium Yishun Attendance 2,083
Referee Ismail Surdi Reserve Referee M Ganesan
Assistant Referee 1 Naseer Hussain Assistant Referee 2 Jeffery Goh
Match Commissioner Mohd Esa Muin
SLEAGUE.COM Man of the Match: Tawan Sripan (Sembawang Rangers FC)
Match Details
By Chang Kay Leong
When a team’s attack is rendered ineffectual by the absence of natural strikers, it has no choice but to depend on its defence and midfield.
Unfortunately for Gombak United at the Yishun Stadium, their makeshift lineup played like strangers to each other, without form or substance after taking the lead against the home side Sembawang.
But a 20m stinger from Tawan Sripan, a deflected own goal off the boot of Diallo Abdullaye and Imran Sahib’s late effort sealed a 3-blast comeback for the Stallions.
Gombak will well regret their wastefulness, having taken the lead through provisional striker Khairi Mawi in the 54th minute. But Thai marauder Sripan’s long range effort which took a bounce past Gombak keeper Effendy Subtu just a minute later deflated the Bulls and set Sembawang on their way back.
The attack-jack last half-hour salvaged the match as an entertaining spectacle, after the latter stages of the first half and the beginning of the second produced turgid midfield mucking that had both sets of fans lulled to a hush.
The match had actually started with chances for both sides. Rangers playmaker Khairani Sanuci’s half volley from outside the box was smothered by Effendy in the 3rd minute, while five minutes later Abdullaye’s scissors kick was blocked on the line by Sembawang keeper Yazid Yasin.
Minutes later Ismail Fitrey had a shot scrambled away by Effendy, and later Bah Mamadou headed just wide for Gombak, but after that the match settled into a dismal quiet.
Sembawang came out for the second half looking the more enterprising side, and somehow did not take the lead in the 49th minute when Bamrung Boonprom screwed his effort over after Imran’s right wing cross had beaten keeper Effendy.
It was to be Gombak who would take the lead though, in the 54th minute. Guinean youngster Abdullaye weaved his way into the box before having two efforts parried by Yazid, but substitute Khairi was on hand to knock in the keeper’s spill.
Sripan’s equaliser though came soon after, and the Gombak defence was looking extremely stretched by Sembawang’s 3-piece strikeforce after Lions striker Mohammed Noh Alam Shah’s 62nd minute entry.
With Alam Shah, Ismail and Bamrung constantly swapping sides and pulling wide, the inexperienced Bulls like Davin Cook and S.League debutant Zulkarnaen Sukur were found wanting in their positioning and tracking.
The Stallions’ second came in the 75th minute, after Cook’s ill-judged clearance resulted in Choktawee Promrut being penalised for dangerous play and Sembawang being awarded a free kick inside the box. Sripan’s shot was deflected in by Abdullaye on the line.
Four minutes later, Zulkarnaen was beaten on the left by Ismail, and Imran was present at the far post to rap home past a flailing Effendy.
"I can’t say it is (due to) inexperience, because we are already 16 matches into the season," said frustrated Gombak coach Moey Yok Ham after the match. "These mistakes are becoming a habit."
A couple of new players are expected to be infused into Gombak next week, which should be a welcome boost for the Bulls’ cracked-up squad.
OFFICIAL MATCH STATISTICS BELOW
Sembawang Rangers FC First Eleven
Jersey No. Name Position
1 Yazid Yasin GK
2 Nur Yusman DF
3 Niweat Siriwong DF
5 Satria Mad DF
8 Khairani Sanuci DF
9 Bamrung Boonprom FW
10 Tawan Sripan MF
13 Ismail Fitrey FW
16 Imran Sahib MF
17 Ibrahim Noh MF
38 Teerasak Po-on MF
Gombak United FC First Eleven
Jersey No. Name Position
2 Bah Mamadou DF
5 Choketawee Promrut DF
6 Zulkarnaen Sukur DF
7 Eric Kwek DF
10 Ballamodou Conde MF
15 Roslan Jasmin DF
16 Iswandy Amil MF
18 Effendy Subtu GK
19 Saswadimata Dasuki MF
22 Diallo Abdullaye MF
23 Haleem Hanifa DF
Sembawang Rangers FC Substitutes
Jersey No. Name Position
6 Taufiq Samadi DF
12 Rafi Mouhamadally MF
14 M Ramesh MF
18 Noh Alam Shah FW
20 Norazami Ali Hassan GK
23 Faizal Senin MF
39 Azul Juahryzam FW
Gombak United FC Substitutes
Jersey No. Name Position
1 Stephen Ng GK
3 Khairi Mawi DF
4 Davin Cook DF
24 Rohaizad Rabu DF
30 Firdaus Salleh FW
33 Mahadzir Hamdan MF
35 Nas Nasta'in FW
Sembawang Rangers FC Goal scorers
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
10 Tawan Sripan 55
10 Tawan Sripan 75
16 Imran Sahib 80
Gombak United FC Goal scorers
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
3 Khairi Mawi 54
Sembawang Rangers FC Substitutions
Jersey No. Player(Out) >> Player(In) Event Time (min)
2 >> 18 Nur Yusman >> Noh Alam Shah 62
13 >> 14 Ismail Fitrey >> M Ramesh 80
3 >> 6 Niweat Siriwong >> Taufiq Samadi 89
Gombak United FC Substitutions
Jersey No. Player(Out) >> Player(In) Event Time (min)
7 >> 3 Eric Kwek >> Khairi Mawi 52
16 >> 4 Iswandy Amil >> Davin Cook 69
6 >> 30 Zulkarnaen Sukur >> Firdaus Salleh 91
Gombak United FC Cautions
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
22 Diallo Abdullaye 41
Match Number: 093
Date 29 June 2001 Time 7:30:00 PM
Competition:
Home Team Tampines Rovers FC Away Team Woodlands Wellington FC
Stadium Tampines Attendance 1943
Referee Subash Lazar Reserve Referee Francis Lee
Assistant Referee 1 Lutfi Emir Assistant Referee 2 Jarrod Lim
Match Commissioner Said Nasir
SLEAGUE.COM Man of the Match: Joselito Da Silva (Tampines Rovers FC)
Match Details
By Anthony Tay
Until both teams start to work on their basics, Tampines Rovers and Woodlands Wellington just have to be contended with being rooted at the bottom of the table. The 0-0 scoreline accurately but sadly reflected the proceedings on the pitch, that of missed chances, miscommunication, mediocre techniques and poor ball skills.
The biggest irony must be Tampines Rovers's "reputed" Brazilian star striker Marcelo Da Silva. For, the 25-year-old looked nowhere near what the club chairman Teo Hock Seng intended him to be. His positioning sense was poor, his first touch was found wanting and his ball control left much to be desired. Even the younger Prime League Ghanaian Dennis Suglo or fringe national player Nahar Daud could do a better job than him. It therefore came not as a surprise that Marcelo was replaced by V.Briane in the 44th min.
The match itself was what the fixture has suggested: bottom-of-the-table clash, minus the passion. Scrappy play was the order of the day, and at some stages, one would be forgiven for mistaking this for schoolboy soccer. It only took a Singapore PR to remind us that Singapore soccer still has some way to go before we can realize our Goal 2010 ambition. Joselito Da Silva, despite the age of 33, constantly surprised and tormented the Rams with his cut-in and long shots from the left. His vision and passes provided some good scoring chances for the Stags, but the forwards, especially Marcelo Da Silva, were guilty of wasting those golden opportunities.
The first half was virtually 1-sided. Woodlands Wellington never really threatened, and Tampines goalkeeper Mohd Keman in fact has nothing much to do. The closest both sides however came to scoring were against the crossbars. In the 28th min, Marcelo Da Silva was fouled near the byeline by Woodlands’ S.Rajendran. Off the resultant freekick by Joselito Da Silva, Dennis Suglo saw his header crashed onto the crossbar. Not to be outdone, Woodlands’ Haslizan Hassan’s chip from 30m out in the 33rd min nearly embarrassed Mohd Keman in goal, but again, the ball struck the crossbar and went out.
Immediately after the break, Tampines thought that it has done enough in the 48th min, when off a goal-mouth melee, Dennis Suglo managed to stab the ball into goal. However, his effort was ruled off-side by the linesman. Worse, coach Jita Singh’s tactical switch to make Suglo the lone striker, after the replacement of Marcelo Da Silva, appeared to have no effect at all. For, Suglo continued to miss chances after chances. The most glaring of all was in the 71st min, when he missed an open goal after a brilliant run by full back Brian Ravi, who set up a beautiful cross for him.
In an attempt to spice up the game, Jita Singh decided to make a double-substitution in the 78th min to bring in speed demon Nahar Daud and former Olympic captain Aidil Sharin. However, both failed to change the fortune of the Eastern club. Woodlands fared no better. In the 69th min, Coach David O’Connor too replaced the ineffective Emette Glascco with Masalan Mamat, once dubbed ‘Singapore’s Michael Owen’ by manager R Vengadasalam. His first significant contribution was in the 87th min, when his blatant tackle on classy Yugoslav defender Sead Muratovic earned him a yellow card. Masalan did however has a chance to redeem himself in the 90th min, but his speculative chip, off a counter-attack, went inches above Mohd Keman’s goal.
As a result, the game finished goal-less, much to the disappointment of the paying crowds.
Tampines Rovers FC First Eleven
Jersey No. Name Position
2 Azlan Alipah MF
3 Jerry Bartholomeusz DF
5 Syed Faruk MF
6 Sead Muratovic DF
9 Marcelo Da Silva FW
11 Joselito Da Silva MF
12 Brian Ravi MF
14 J Kalaiselvan DF
16 Mohamad Bin Keman GK
25 Dennis Suglo FW
35 Jamil Ali MF
Woodlands Wellington FC First Eleven
Jersey No. Name Position
1 Faizal Ali GK
2 Petar Dajak DF
8 Jirasirichote Surachai (De-registered) DF
10 Jeykanth Jeyapal DF
11 Esad Sejdic MF
12 Miroslav Kuljanac DF
15 Nor Azman Hussain MF
16 Haslizan Hassan DF
17 Nawfal Shahib MF
22 Emmett Gassco FW
23 S Rajendran DF
Tampines Rovers FC Substitutes
Jersey No. Name Position
7 Aidil Sharin MF
8 Nahar Daud FW
18 Jaslee Hatta DF
27 Briane V. MF
33 Shahrul Riza DF
40 Toh Guo'An GK
Woodlands Wellington FC Substitutes
Jersey No. Name Position
3 Shawaluddin Zainal Abidin DF
6 Razali Ishak MF
14 Faizal Sa'audi MF
19 Siva Narayana MF
20 Nasiruddin Sawardi DF
24 Masalan Mahat FW
Tampines Rovers FC Substitutions
Jersey No. Player(Out) >> Player(In) Event Time (min)
9 >> 27 Marcelo Da Silva >> Briane V. 45
3 >> 7 Jerry Bartholomeusz >> Aidil Sharin 79
27 >> 8 Briane V. >> Nahar Daud 79
Woodlands Wellington FC Substitutions
Jersey No. Player(Out) >> Player(In) Event Time (min)
22 >> 24 Emmett Gassco >> Masalan Mahat 70
16 >> 20 Haslizan Hassan >> Nasiruddin Sawardi 84
Tampines Rovers FC Cautions
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
35 Jamil Ali 41
12 Brian Ravi 84
Woodlands Wellington FC Cautions
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
12 Miroslav Kuljanac 14
23 S Rajendran 28
15 Nor Azman Hussain 48
2 Petar Dajak 72
24 Masalan Mahat 88
Match Number: 094
Date 29 June 2001 Time 7:30:00 PM
Competition:
Home Team Home United FC Away Team Balestier Central FC
Stadium Bishan Attendance 3102
Referee S. K. Kennedy Reserve Referee T. Ramesh
Assistant Referee 1 Nordin Sawodi Assistant Referee 2 Megat Azman
Match Commissioner Johana Johari
SLEAGUE.COM Man of the Match: S Subramani (Home United FC)
Match Details
By Alvyn Lim
Balestier Central may have started going on a backslide after suffering its third defeat in three matches. However, there is a bright light at the end of the tunnel for the young Tigers. The three defeats came against the top three teams in the S.League. Despite being plagued by injury and suspensions the past few weeks, they have put on credible performances against much stronger teams. Like last night, where they narrowly lost 2-1 to Home United at the Bishan stadium.
The Tigers took the game to the Protectors early in the game, when Rizzal Hasim’s free kick was pushed away by Adi Salleh in the Home United goal. However, it was also Rizzal’s mistake that led to the opening goal. Rizzal’s back pass came up short and National Team striker Indra Shadan was on hand to round the goalkeeper to slot the ball home in the 13th minute.
The Tigers bounced back almost immediately when Faizal Sazali’s corner was missed by everyone in the box, except Yusri Waris, whose header was cleared of the line. Josip Kozic was then put through behind the Protectors’ defence, only for to Adi push the ball away from his feet, and Faizal blasted the rebound over the bar.
Everyone in the crowd had sensed an equalizer, and it finally came 5 minutes before half time. Thai Striker Daorueang Krongpol dribbled down the left flank, crossed to the far post, only for Josip to poke the ball back to Yusri, who headed the ball past a stranded Adi. It was a well-deserved goal.
However, the celebrations were cut short, when Home United regained the lead two minutes later. Peres Oliviera’s shot was cleared of the line, but the ball fell into the path of Egmar Goncalves, who stabbed the ball home for his 101st goal in S.League competition and to give the home side the lead at half time.
The second half was a much slower affair. Home United were content with keeping its lead and Balestier were trying to push for the all-important equalizer. Balestier’s Fabio da Silva and Josip Kozic could contain Home’s midfield trio of Edson Garcia, Peres and debutant Matkovic Hrvoje.
Balestier’s inability to score may have given the Protectors extra confidence. In the 50th minute, Indra put a ball behind the Tigers’ defence that caught them flatfooted, but Egmar could not reach the end of the cross. Matkovic was also put through behind the defence, but his initial effort was saved. Egmar was on hand to pounce on the rebound, but his lob was over the crossbar.
Towards the final 15 minutes, skipper Darren Stewart was pushed upfront to boost its attack, but he and his strike partner Krongpol were constantly cut out by a very stout and well organized Home defence. In the end, Home United managed to hold on to a well deserve victory to put them on top of the table for the first time this season.
Balestier coach PN Sivaji would not be frowning despite their three consecutive losses. He knows very well in his heart that his boys are on the right path to success. The young Tigers are now showing the true form that they have craved for so long, for themselves, and for their fans as well. On the other hand, Home United could very well be walking away with the 2001 S.League title.
FULLTIME
OFFICIAL MATCH STATISTICS BELOW
Home United FC First Eleven
Jersey No. Name Position
1 Adi Salleh GK
2 Ong Leon Koen DF
3 Indra Sahdan Daud FW
6 S Subramani DF
8 Harun Juma'at MF
9 Egmar Goncalves FW
10 Peres De Oliveira FW
13 R Sasikumar DF
16 Faris Mohamed DF
19 Edson Garcia MF
20 Matkovic Hrvoje FW
Balestier Central FC First Eleven
Jersey No. Name Position
1 Hairil Amin GK
5 Fabio Da Silva MF
6 Faizal Jumaat DF
7 Kozic Josip MF
8 Darren Stewart DF
12 Tan Sio Beng DF
14 Yusri Waris MF
16 Johari Husin MF
18 Daorueang Krongpol FW
19 Rizzal Hashim DF
32 Faizal Sazali FW
Home United FC Substitutes
Jersey No. Name Position
4 Mardani Fatahollah DF
7 Gusta Guzarishah MF
11 Zulkifli Zainolabidin GK
12 Aw Thiam Hor MF
14 Roniwardi Mamsa MF
17 Yazid Sawal FW
Balestier Central FC Substitutes
Jersey No. Name Position
4 Abdul Latiff Isa DF
10 P Sugunan MF
13 Iskandar Latiff DF
15 Aidil Sulaiman MF
20 Shahrudin Samsudin DF
26 Daun Mathew MF
Home United FC Goal scorers
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
3 Indra Sahdan Daud 13
9 Egmar Goncalves 42
Balestier Central FC Goal scorers
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
14 Yusri Waris 40
Home United FC Substitutions
Jersey No. Player(Out) >> Player(In) Event Time (min)
8 >> 7 Harun Juma'at >> Gusta Guzarishah 66
3 >> 17 Indra Sahdan Daud >> Yazid Sawal 71
20 >> 14 Matkovic Hrvoje >> Roniwardi Mamsa 85
Balestier Central FC Substitutions
Jersey No. Player(Out) >> Player(In) Event Time (min)
14 >> 10 Yusri Waris >> P Sugunan 75
32 >> 13 Faizal Sazali >> Iskandar Latiff 86
Home United FC Cautions
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
16 Faris Mohamed 19
7 Gusta Guzarishah 76
Balestier Central FC Cautions
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
12 Tan Sio Beng 23
5 Fabio Da Silva 38
16 Johari Husin 48
7 Kozic Josip 55
Match Number: 095
Date 30 June 2001 Time 7:30:00 PM
Competition:
Home Team Singapore Armed Forces FC Away Team Tanjong Pagar United FC
Stadium Choa Chu Kang Attendance 3565
Referee Abdul Malik Reserve Referee Ismail Surdi
Assistant Referee 1 Lutfi Emir Assistant Referee 2 George Lee
Match Commissioner S. Mahalingam
SLEAGUE.COM Man of the Match: Daniel Bennett (Tanjong Pagar United FC)
Match Details
By Eswandy Sarip
Two elementary errors by SAFFC’s custodian Rezal Hassan paved the way for the Jaguars of Tanjong Pagar to snatch full points in a rollercoaster of a game at Choa Chu Kang Stadium last night. The game was locked at 2-2 when in the 72nd minute Rezal let a 30m potshot by Rudy Khairon slip horrifyingly into the goal. As if that was not enough, in the 83rd minute, Rezal again failed to make a clean catch off a Sutee Suksomkit powerful drive and substitute Haris Sumri opportunistically prodded home the rebound. With that the Jaguars keep a close rein on the two front-runners Geylang United and Home United, while SAFFC, the defending champions, are 5th, slumping to their lowest league position since the 1996 Tiger Beer Series.
SAFFC was hoping a win against the Jags should put them back on track for the title-chase but alas they let it slip that easily. As for the Jaguars, their now-famous late comeback habits proved useful as they hit 3 goals in the last half-hour to create the sparkling victory.
The game started with the Thais running rampant. Rezal probably forewarning of a tragedy coming when he was caught by surprise by a Rudy Khairon rocket, palming the shot down to the path of Jags’ Phanuwat Yinphan. Much to the relief of the home crowd, Phanuwats shot was deflected wide. Later at the other end, SAFFC went on the offensive. Mirko Grabovac’s well-placed header was saved by Jags’ keeper Dragan Talajic while Kiatisuk Senamuang sliced his scissors kick.
It was SAFFC back at its best with skipper Nazri Nasir instrumental at the centre of the park. Croat-Singaporean Mirko Grabovac was however restricted by an astute Daniel Bennett who was probably signalling the authorities to speed up his permanent residence clearance. For the Jags, Rudy Khairon was very much alone trying to keep pace with the SAFFC midfield while the Thais upfront were shadowed heavily. Sutee was policed by a steely Razif Mahamud while Phanuwat met his match in Veselko Paponja.
Chances if any went abegging until the 31st minute in a routine SAFFC attack, Dalis Supait floated a square that looked to be covered by Erza Aripin. The latter missed the header and you don’t give chances like those to Mirko Grabovac who stabbed the ball in gleefully beating Talajic. The lead however did not last long. Against the run of play and off a free-kick on the right by Sutee, a scramble in front of the goal followed on and the unheralded Ratna Suffian was at the right place and the right time to drive the ball in bulging the net. It stayed that way till half-time and Tanjong Pagar clearly need a change of tactics which coach Tohari Paijan realised.
In the 2nd half, Tohari switched Steven Tan to operate on the left and Djamel Achouri vice versa. He also took out a very passive Zainal Zainuddin and put on the hardworking Johaness Idris. SAFFC however got on aggresively and from a deep cross by Zahid Ahmad, Mirko headed back and an onrushing Dalis nodded past Talajic in delightful fashion. Dalis then almost scored another one but he fluffed his shot with Talajic left to beat. That proved costly as the Jaguars came roaring back.
To the horror of the home crowd, SAFFC then went to sleep. Nazri and Galov turned from motorists to pedestrians and the whole SAFFC machinery got into snooze mode. This gave the Jaguars the perfect opportunity to rise. In the 61st minute, a lovely cross by Ratna Suffian found Sutee unmarked and the Thai stalwart headed to the corner with Rezal rooted to the ground. That beauty of a goal marked a horrendous SAFFC decay and 10 minutes later Rezal made the first of his 2 mistakes, which ultimately killed the game for SAFFC.
Singapore Armed Forces FC First Eleven
Jersey No. Name Position
1 Rezal Hassan GK
2 Razif Mahamud DF
5 Veselko Paponja DF
7 Nazri Nasir MF
9 Mirko Grabovac FW
12 Zahid Ahmad MF
13 Kiatisuk Senamuang FW
15 Nenad Bacina DF
19 Dalis Supait FW
20 Yunos Abdul Samad MF
21 Goran Galov MF
Tanjong Pagar United FC First Eleven
Jersey No. Name Position
1 Dragan Talajic GK
2 Phanuwat Yinphan FW
3 Erza Aripin MF
5 Rudy Khairon MF
7 Djamel Achouri MF
8 Daniel Bennett DF
9 Lim Tong Hai DF
13 Ratna Suffian DF
14 Steven Tan FW
15 Zainal Zainuddin MF
39 Sutee Suksomkit FW
Singapore Armed Forces FC Substitutes
Jersey No. Name Position
3 Syed Alwi Ali DF
4 Hairi Su'ap DF
14 Azhar Salleh MF
16 Fadzuhasny Juraimi FW
18 Shahri Rahim GK
26 Rozaidi Zainah MF
39 Fauzie Amin MF
Tanjong Pagar United FC Substitutes
Jersey No. Name Position
4 Haris Sumri FW
12 Azlan Tahir MF
16 Ridzuan Fatah GK
17 Fathi Yunus MF
18 Johaness Idris DF
19 Ahmad Ashik DF
22 Tay Puay Guan FW
Singapore Armed Forces FC Goal scorers
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
9 Mirko Grabovac 32
19 Dalis Supait 48
Tanjong Pagar United FC Goal scorers
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
13 Ratna Suffian 39
34 Suhari Mustaffa 63
5 Rudy Khairon 71
4 Haris Sumri 83
Singapore Armed Forces FC Substitutions
Jersey No. Player(Out) >> Player(In) Event Time (min)
20 >> 16 Yunos Abdul Samad >> Fadzuhasny Juraimi 71
21 >> 14 Goran Galov >> Azhar Salleh 80
19 >> 39 Dalis Supait >> Fauzie Amin 85
Tanjong Pagar United FC Substitutions
Jersey No. Player(Out) >> Player(In) Event Time (min)
15 >> 18 Zainal Zainuddin >> Johaness Idris 57
14 >> 4 Steven Tan >> Haris Sumri 67
2 >> 19 Phanuwat Yinphan >> Ahmad Ashik 84
Singapore Armed Forces FC Cautions
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
2 Razif Mahamud 59
5 Veselko Paponja 90
Tanjong Pagar United FC Cautions
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
3 Erza Aripin 9
19 Ahmad Ashik 91
Match Number: 096
Date 30 June 2001 Time 7:30:00 PM
Competition:
Home Team Geylang United FC Away Team Clementi Khalsa FC
Stadium Bedok Attendance 1962
Referee N. Santhan Reserve Referee M. Ganesan
Assistant Referee 1 K. Visvanathan Assistant Referee 2 Ravi Govindram
Match Commissioner Chua Peng Huat
SLEAGUE.COM Man of the Match: Aleksandar Duric (Geylang United FC)
Match Details
by Muhammad Yunus Mirza
30 June 2001
Last night's encounter between the Geylang Eagles and the Clementi Elephants couldn't be more one-sided than one could ever imagine. The home team not only outclassed their lesser known opponents but also sent out an ominous message to fellow title-chasers that the coveted championship is theirs for the taking. Clementi Khalsa had trouble moving the ball around, let alone break the ever so fluent Eagles' play. Their defence didn't learn from mistakes, the midfielders were devoid of ideas and uninspiring and their attackers could only seek solace in scoring at the wrong end. In a nutshell, the same team that held Tanjong Pagar few days back performed way below expectations and deservingly got a lesson or two from a 6-0 Geylang trashing.
Unlike past weeks, the Eagles started the game in an unfamiliar territory. The perennial leader of the pack fell into 2nd spot after the Protectors' win over Balestier on Friday sent them to the top. Geylang Eagles might have used that as an added incentive as they settled down fast and controlled the game right from the start. Featuring an all too similar cast, the Eagles drew first blood as early as the 10th minute. The industrious Basri Halis played a through ball to "speed-demon" Md Noor Ali, who in turn laid an alluring cross, which Brian Bothwell found too nice a move to waste. He set himself up nicely before executing a simple yet powerful left-footed grounder past newcomer Grant Barlow. Barely a minute later, the same move was replicated only for the final shot to be launched into the darkness of a humid night. They were not to be disappointed in their next attack though. After what seemed like a barrage of scoffed chances and narrow escapes for Clementi, they remained as obstinate, perharps epitomizing the characteristics of their mascot. Instead of implementing the 'safety-first' approach into their game, they continued dribbling their way out of defence. In one instance, it proved costly. Duric robbed the ball off a defender, negotiated his way into the box and upon reaching the edge, unleashed an unstoppable shot which with the help of a soaked pitch, slithered under the keeper to register Geylang's 2nd goal of the night.
The Elephants who were still nursing themselves from the shock of an early goal had their morales further plummeted with the arrival of that 2nd goal. They had no answer to Geylang's on-slaught albeit the game being 20 minutes old. New signing, Japanese Hiroyuki Ishida might have wowed the crowd with his crafts however with lack of support from teammates, even the best looks ordinary. They lacked in ideas and this was duly shown in their rush to get the ball to Hiroyuki everytime they were in possession. Geylang fathomed their intentions perfectly and swarmed their players around Hiroyuki almost on every other attack. Clementi's reluctance to get out of their own half quickly laid the settings for Geylang's 3rd goal. Nigerian Emmanuel Unaka, in an attempt to display his footwork, lost the ball to Bothwell at the half-line and with such eagerness, the latter galloped all the way into Clementi's box. Despite a blatant challenge by Unaka to make up for his error, Bothwell stood his ground, rounded the keeper and put in a cross which was initially cleared but made its way to Nebojsa Vukosavljevic. The on-form striker controlled the ball to his liking before blasting into an empty net. Hafiz Esah scoffed Clementi's only attack when he hesitated in his shot. A long drop kick from Barlow bobbled over Geylang's skipper, Winston Yap and Hafiz Esah found himself with ample space to run. But with only Lewis Lionel to beat, he hesitated and the ball was nipped behind by Yap for a corner. Geylang got their 4th goal moments before the interval. A laid-back cross from Nor Rahman was audaciously side-footed by Nebojsa past Grant Barlow. The Clementi defenders were caught napping as none of them was near enough to inject some form of pressure on the Aussie. A disallowed Duric goal in injury time was immediately accompanied by the half-time whistle.
The 2nd period resumed in similar fashion. Geylang mounted on their attacks right from the start and came close twice in as many minutes. Nor Rahman's bye-line cross deceived everyone including a surprised Md Noor Ali who awkwardly missed a seater despite the goal beckoning. Duric then shot into the side netting after skillfully negotiating his way through the Elephants' defence. As in the 1st half, Clementi had no response to Geylang's continuos bombardment on goals. Hiroyuki Ishida's slick runs round the Geylang's backline, teasing them on his way might have been their most positive counter. Their frustration was well-documented in Ernest Tapai's relentless long distance, off-target attempts and Eric Francis' earning himself a place in the black book for a blatant challenge on Bothwell. Such was the condition of the game that the partisan crowd could sense another goal coming. In the 52nd minute, Clementi gave away a free kick in a highly dangerous position; somewhere down the right flank. William Bone approached the kick in a direct manner; swinging in for Duric to head home. Geylang's top scorer jumped the highest among the pack to seal his 17th goal of the season. The game became academic by then. While the Eagles scoured for more goals, Vlado Bozinoski would be comforted if his players maintained that deficit to the end. In an unfortunate twist of fate, the former got their wish. In the final minute, Eric Francis received his marching orders when he clumsily hacked down Nebojsa. When everyone else expected another in-swinger from Bone, he laid the ball neatly to Zulkarnaean Zainal, who was at edge of Clementi's box. Zul whacked the ball across goal only for it come back to him. Replicating his earlier move, his 2nd attempt was handsomely rewarded when the ball caught Hafiz Esah by surprise and in a tough decision, the unlucky lad chose to blast the ball into his own net rather than the orthodox clearance to safety.
Geylang might have steamrolled their opponents with relative ease but frankly speaking, last night's game was simply effortless. Clementi Khalsa kept carving out chances for the Eagles. Their hesitant style of play lured the Eagles to launch attack after attack. Hiroyuki Ishida, though was a pleasure to watch as he thrilled the crowd with his individual skills and industrious nature. Despite the win, the Eagles shouldn't get too complacent just yet. They face a down-and-out Warriors next. Having lost to Tanjong Pagar, they will be more than keen to salvage themselves some pride and prove their worth. The duel against the defending champions will be a fair gauge for the Eagles to rectify themselves to whether they are of championship material or just an on-form "blow hot-and-cold" team like the rest.
Geylang United FC First Eleven
Jersey No. Name Position
5 Noh Rahman DF
6 Winston Yap DF
8 Nebojsa Vukosavljevic FW
9 Aleksandar Duric FW
10 Brian Bothwell MF
12 Zulkarnaen Zainal MF
13 Sharifuddin Mahmood DF
14 Basri Halis MF
15 William Bone MF
19 Noor Ali FW
20 Lewis Lionel GK
Clementi Khalsa FC First Eleven
Jersey No. Name Position
2 Imran Zainal MF
3 Quek Hock Tiong DF
6 Hafiz Esah FW
7 Ernest Tapai MF
9 Eric Francis FW
11 Fahmie Abdullah MF
14 Hasnim Haron MF
16 Hiroyuki Ishida MF
20 Abdul Wafi Othman MF
24 Grant Barlow GK
31 Emmanuel Unaka DF
Geylang United FC Substitutes
Jersey No. Name Position
4 Razaleigh Khalik DF
7 Hamirul Hanif MF
16 Fadly Noor MF
17 Syed Mohammad Fadhil MF
18 Robin Chitrakar DF
29 Roswadi Kamis GK
Clementi Khalsa FC Substitutes
Jersey No. Name Position
4 Sabri Sukri DF
13 Sha'izad Jaffar MF
15 Sophian Ahmad Repha'ee DF
17 A Shasi Kumar MF
18 P Titani MF
22 Phang Chin Guan GK
34 Terence Yee Wai Leong MF
Geylang United FC Goal scorers
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
10 Brian Bothwell 11
9 Aleksandar Duric 15
8 Nebojsa Vukosavljevic 29
8 Nebojsa Vukosavljevic 43
9 Aleksandar Duric 53
Clementi Khalsa FC Own Goal
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
13 Sha'izad Jaffar 91
Geylang United FC Substitutions
Jersey No. Player(Out) >> Player(In) Event Time (min)
5 >> 17 Noh Rahman >> Syed Mohammad Fadhil 55
14 >> 18 Basri Halis >> Robin Chitrakar 61
19 >> 4 Noor Ali >> Razaleigh Khalik 78
Clementi Khalsa FC Substitutions
Jersey No. Player(Out) >> Player(In) Event Time (min)
31 >> 13 Emmanuel Unaka >> Sha'izad Jaffar 77
Geylang United FC Cautions
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
19 Noor Ali 36
Clementi Khalsa FC Cautions
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
11 Fahmie Abdullah 24
9 Eric Francis 50
9 Eric Francis 90
Clementi Khalsa FC Expulsions
Jersey No. Name Event Time (min)
9 Eric Francis 90