PROTECTORS COME FROM BEHIND TO BEAT WARRIORS
Written by: Shawn Lim
Home United mounted an inspirational comeback in the second half to beat Warriors FC 2-1 in the last Uniformed Derby of the season on Wednesday night at Yishun Stadium.
Fazrul Nawaz fired the visitors ahead in the 39th minute before goals from Kamel Ramdani and Ambroise Begue in the second half helped the Protectors snatch victory.
The win for the Protectors was especially sweet as this was their second come-from-behind performance in less than a week, but they were rewarded with three points this time after drawing 4-4 with Brunei DPMM last time round.
It was the defending champions who began the match with urgency though, as they pressed the hosts high up the pitch from the off.
Home custodian Hyrulnizam Juma’at’s agility was put to the test just two minutes into the game and he brilliantly denied Miroslav Pejic’s piledriver from the edge of the box before pushing Karlo Ivancic’s rebound away to safety.
Five minutes later, Warriors wasted another opportunity to break the deadlock after Marin Vidosevic headed the ball wide of the mark from Hafiz Rahim’s free-kick
Vidosevic was in the thick of the action again in the 13th minute when he tried a shot from close range after receiving the ball from Pejic's corner, but found teammate Fazrul in his way.
Fazrul was next to try his luck in the 19th minute, but sent his header from Bennett’s cross just wide at the far post with Hyrulnizam at full stretch.
Warriors’ attempts at controlling possession limited the Protectors’ openings, but in a moment of brilliance, Ramdani weaved his way to edge of the box from the right flank in the 23rd minute before firing off a shot that went inches wide.
The breakthrough arrived for the visitors when Fazrul rose the highest to power home a bullet header from Hafiz's corner in the 39th minute for his 15th goal of the season.
The Protectors had a wonderful chance to pull a goal back a minute before the break, but Yasir Hanapi was unable to get enough bend on his effort from outside the box to place it inside the far post.
Home came out firing after the break though, and were quickly on level terms through Ramdani, who lined up a free kick on the edge of the box and sent a trademark effort into the back of the net in the 58th minute.
The hosts were on the ascendency after the goal and should have doubled the lead in the 70th minute when Noh Rahman deftly laid the ball into the path of substitute Azhar Sairudin, but the latter was unable to convert.
Azhar turned provider three minutes later when he sent Yasir through on goal, but the latter fired off a weak effort that did not trouble Ong.
Begue then found Azhar in the 78th minute with an excellent cross, but the midfielder sent his shot wide despite being inches away from the goalmouth.
A minute later, Ong was required to thwart Ilso’s thunderous drive from outside the box as the Protectors continued their assault on the Warriors’s goal.
Soon after, Imran Sahib missed a gilt-edged opportunity to give the Protectors the lead in the 84th minute when his first-time effort from Begue's cross in the 18-yard box went horribly wide.
Home’s comeback was completed when an excellent half-volley from Begue on the margins of the 18-yard box in the 85th minute found its way to the bottom corner of the net.
The Protectors came close to extending their lead two minutes from regulation time after Ramdani dazzled his way into the 18-yard box, but saw his shot is cleared off the line as the final whistle arrived minutes later.
Home United: Hyrulnizam Juma’at (GK), Noh Rahman (C), Abdil Qayyim, Ang Zhi Wei, Sharin Saberin, Yasir Hanapi, Fazli Ayob (Imran Sahib 67’), Stanely Ng (Azhar Sairudin 57’), Ambroise Begue (Sufianto Salleh 86’), Kamel Ramdani, Ken Ilso
Warriors FC: Daniel Ong (GK), Syaqir Sulaiman, Daniel Bennett (C) (Hafsyar Farkhan 82’), Marin Vidosevic, Irwan Shah; Emmeric Ong (Hamqaamal Shah 90’), Kevin McCann, Hafiz Rahim, Karlo Ivancic, Miroslav Pejic, Fazrul Nawaz
However, it was Hougang who had a superb opportunity just after seven minutes, but striker Vuk Sotirovic wasted it by heading over a pinpoint cross from Ruzaini Zainal.
Four minutes later, Azwan Ali hit a fierce drive from outside into the side-netting, before Ramazotti missed two quick opportunities - hitting the post first before heading a Rosmin Kamis cross narrowly wide.
Ramazotti had another golden opportunity in the 27th minute after he was sent through by Rosmin, but he was foiled by Hougang goalkeeper Ridhuan Barudin, who raced off his line quickly to sweep up the ball.
But just four minutes later, the visitors got their lead when Kenneth Chang headed into his own net from a set-piece.
Hougang could have equalised on the stroke of half-time through Fareez Farhan, but the winger’s rasping volley was parried wide by Wardun Yussof.
The hosts got their equaliser six minutes after the restart, thanks to a moment of magic from Sotirovic.
After earning a free-kick just outside the box, Sotirovic powered a strike into the top corner with Wardun left rooted to his spot.
Three minutes later, Azwan Ali saw an effort from a similar position saved by Ridhuan, before Sotirovic sent his volley soaring into the sky after a quick counter attack.
Both Paulo Sergio and Ramazotti missed two chances in quick successions midway through the second half, before Ridhuan pulled off a sensational save to deny Azwan after the winger slipped past his markers.
Hougang United: Ridhuan Barudin (GK), Yuki Uchiyama, Kenneth Chang, Kunihiro Yamashita (C), Faiz Salleh, Ruzaini Zainal (Muhaymin Salim 55’), Atsushi Shimono, Tengku Mushahdad, Fareez Farhan, Diego Gama, Vuk Sotirovic (Taufiq Ghani 73’)
Brunei DPMM: Wardun Yussof (GK), Helmi Zambin, Boris Raspudic, Brian McLean, Sairol Sahari (Azwan Saleh 73’), Maududi Hilmi, Joe Gamble, Rosmin Kamis (C), Azwan Ali, Paulo Sergio, Rafael Ramazotti
The win for the Protectors was especially sweet as this was their second come-from-behind performance in less than a week, but they were rewarded with three points this time after drawing 4-4 with Brunei DPMM last time round.
It was the defending champions who began the match with urgency though, as they pressed the hosts high up the pitch from the off.
Home custodian Hyrulnizam Juma’at’s agility was put to the test just two minutes into the game and he brilliantly denied Miroslav Pejic’s piledriver from the edge of the box before pushing Karlo Ivancic’s rebound away to safety.
Five minutes later, Warriors wasted another opportunity to break the deadlock after Marin Vidosevic headed the ball wide of the mark from Hafiz Rahim’s free-kick
Vidosevic was in the thick of the action again in the 13th minute when he tried a shot from close range after receiving the ball from Pejic's corner, but found teammate Fazrul in his way.
Fazrul was next to try his luck in the 19th minute, but sent his header from Bennett’s cross just wide at the far post with Hyrulnizam at full stretch.
Warriors’ attempts at controlling possession limited the Protectors’ openings, but in a moment of brilliance, Ramdani weaved his way to edge of the box from the right flank in the 23rd minute before firing off a shot that went inches wide.
The breakthrough arrived for the visitors when Fazrul rose the highest to power home a bullet header from Hafiz's corner in the 39th minute for his 15th goal of the season.
The Protectors had a wonderful chance to pull a goal back a minute before the break, but Yasir Hanapi was unable to get enough bend on his effort from outside the box to place it inside the far post.
Home came out firing after the break though, and were quickly on level terms through Ramdani, who lined up a free kick on the edge of the box and sent a trademark effort into the back of the net in the 58th minute.
The hosts were on the ascendency after the goal and should have doubled the lead in the 70th minute when Noh Rahman deftly laid the ball into the path of substitute Azhar Sairudin, but the latter was unable to convert.
Azhar turned provider three minutes later when he sent Yasir through on goal, but the latter fired off a weak effort that did not trouble Ong.
Begue then found Azhar in the 78th minute with an excellent cross, but the midfielder sent his shot wide despite being inches away from the goalmouth.
A minute later, Ong was required to thwart Ilso’s thunderous drive from outside the box as the Protectors continued their assault on the Warriors’s goal.
Soon after, Imran Sahib missed a gilt-edged opportunity to give the Protectors the lead in the 84th minute when his first-time effort from Begue's cross in the 18-yard box went horribly wide.
Home’s comeback was completed when an excellent half-volley from Begue on the margins of the 18-yard box in the 85th minute found its way to the bottom corner of the net.
The Protectors came close to extending their lead two minutes from regulation time after Ramdani dazzled his way into the 18-yard box, but saw his shot is cleared off the line as the final whistle arrived minutes later.
Home United: Hyrulnizam Juma’at (GK), Noh Rahman (C), Abdil Qayyim, Ang Zhi Wei, Sharin Saberin, Yasir Hanapi, Fazli Ayob (Imran Sahib 67’), Stanely Ng (Azhar Sairudin 57’), Ambroise Begue (Sufianto Salleh 86’), Kamel Ramdani, Ken Ilso
Warriors FC: Daniel Ong (GK), Syaqir Sulaiman, Daniel Bennett (C) (Hafsyar Farkhan 82’), Marin Vidosevic, Irwan Shah; Emmeric Ong (Hamqaamal Shah 90’), Kevin McCann, Hafiz Rahim, Karlo Ivancic, Miroslav Pejic, Fazrul Nawaz
DPMM SEE OFF HOUGANG TO REGAIN LEAD AT SUMMIT
Written by: Nigel Chin
Brunei DPMM regained their three-point lead at the top of the S.League standings after scraping 2-1 past Hougang United on Tuesday evening at the Hougang Stadium.
A penalty from Rafael Ramazotti in the 71st minute settled the contest after the Cheetahs had fought back from a one-goal deficit.
The Bruneians had just one target coming to the game - to get all three points - and they made it clear right from the start. However, it was Hougang who had a superb opportunity just after seven minutes, but striker Vuk Sotirovic wasted it by heading over a pinpoint cross from Ruzaini Zainal.
Four minutes later, Azwan Ali hit a fierce drive from outside into the side-netting, before Ramazotti missed two quick opportunities - hitting the post first before heading a Rosmin Kamis cross narrowly wide.
Ramazotti had another golden opportunity in the 27th minute after he was sent through by Rosmin, but he was foiled by Hougang goalkeeper Ridhuan Barudin, who raced off his line quickly to sweep up the ball.
But just four minutes later, the visitors got their lead when Kenneth Chang headed into his own net from a set-piece.
Hougang could have equalised on the stroke of half-time through Fareez Farhan, but the winger’s rasping volley was parried wide by Wardun Yussof.
The hosts got their equaliser six minutes after the restart, thanks to a moment of magic from Sotirovic.
After earning a free-kick just outside the box, Sotirovic powered a strike into the top corner with Wardun left rooted to his spot.
Three minutes later, Azwan Ali saw an effort from a similar position saved by Ridhuan, before Sotirovic sent his volley soaring into the sky after a quick counter attack.
Both Paulo Sergio and Ramazotti missed two chances in quick successions midway through the second half, before Ridhuan pulled off a sensational save to deny Azwan after the winger slipped past his markers.
DPMM were then awarded the penalty that led to the winner moments after, with Chang suffering a lapse in concentration that led to his handball inside the box.
Ramazotti made no mistake from the spot, powering it past Ridhuan for the winner. Hougang United: Ridhuan Barudin (GK), Yuki Uchiyama, Kenneth Chang, Kunihiro Yamashita (C), Faiz Salleh, Ruzaini Zainal (Muhaymin Salim 55’), Atsushi Shimono, Tengku Mushahdad, Fareez Farhan, Diego Gama, Vuk Sotirovic (Taufiq Ghani 73’)
Brunei DPMM: Wardun Yussof (GK), Helmi Zambin, Boris Raspudic, Brian McLean, Sairol Sahari (Azwan Saleh 73’), Maududi Hilmi, Joe Gamble, Rosmin Kamis (C), Azwan Ali, Paulo Sergio, Rafael Ramazotti
STAGS HAND EAGLES A DRUBBING IN EASTERN DERBY
Written by: Shawn Lim
Tampines Rovers took home bragging rights from the third “Eastern Derby” of the season after handing Geylang International an impressive 4-1 thrashing at Bedok Stadium on Tuesday night.
Goals from Mateo Roskam, Fabian Kwok, Rodrigo Tosi and Aqhari Abdullah in both halves helped the Stags to clinch the important three points, as they inched closer to Brunei DPMM at the top of the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League standings.
Shawal Anuar pulled a goal back for the hosts in stoppage time, but it proved to be mere consolation for the Eagles.
The visitors came out flying from the first whistle and Roskam had Geylang custodian Yazid Yasin scrambling across his goal in the 11th minute after he fired a volley on the turn, which went inches wide.
Five minutes later, a searching free-kick from Shaiful Esah found Rodrigo Tosi, but the striker was unable to keep his header down, as the ball flew harmlessly over the woodwork.
Tosi then won possession in midfield four minutes later and played an eye-of-the-needle ball through to Roskam, who swept the ball past Yazid with his first touch to break the deadlock for the Stags.
Tampines subsequently doubled their lead in the 26th minute when the Eagles failed to clear a long throw from Ismail Yunos.
The ball found its way to Kwok, who fired a magnificent 30-yard piledriver with his first touch into the top corner of the net, leaving Yazid rooted to the spot.
Inui could have pulled a goal back for the visitors two minutes later when he unleashed a thunderous left-foot volley in the 18-yard box that looked destined for the net, but Tampines custodian Rodrigo Pacheco pulled off a top-drawer save at his near post to deny him.
Tampines replicated their start to the first half after the interval and found their third goal in the 55th minute, effectively killing off any hopes the hosts had of mounting a comeback.
After Jozef Kaplan was adjudged to have caused an infringement in the 18-yard box, referee Farhad Mohd awarded a penalty to the Stags.
Tosi then stepped up and slammed his spot kick into the bottom left corner of the net with Yazid going the wrong direction, for his 11th goal of the season.
The Stags continued to press forward in spite of their advantage and could have added a fourth goal when Roskam split the Eagles' defence open with an exquisite pass to an unmarked Ismadi in the 75th minute.
However, the Singapore International footballer’s first touch was poor as Yazid came off his line to claim the ball.
There was no stopping Tampines from getting their fourth goal though, and they duly found it when substitute Aqhari Abdullah - who had only been on the pitch for less than three minutes - turned in Shaiful's cross from close range.
The away team took their foot off the gas as the game drew to a close and allowed Shawal to run in behind their defence unchallenged after a counter-attack by Geylang.
The midfielder then side-footed the ball past a stranded Pacheco into the bottom corner of the net as referee Farhad blew for the final whistle immediately after the goal.
Geylang International: Yazid Yasin (GK), Yuki Ichikawa, Kento Fukada, Hafiz Osman, Syed Thaha (Huzaifah Aziz 78’), Anaz Hadee (Shawal Anuar 55’), Tatsuro Inui, Shah Hirul (Zulkifli Sulizman 74’), Hafiz Nor, Jozef Kaplan (C), Bruno Castanheira
Tampines Rovers: Rodrigo Pacheco (GK), Ismadi Mukhtar (Aqhari Abdullah 80’), Jufri Taha, Fahrudin Mustafic (C) (Isa Halim 74’), Shaiful Esah, Pedrag Pocuca, Naeem Rohimi, Ismail Yunos, Fabian Kwok, Mateo Roskam (Noh Alam Shah 83’), Rodrigo Tosi
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