Penalties proved to be Balestier Khalsas undoing in the RHB
Singapore Cup after they lost their 3rd-placing match to Woodlands
Wellington in a Sunday evening shootout.
The Tigers, who were knocked out of the semifinals by Chonburi
Province FC of Thailand on spot kicks, had taken the lead in the
first half through Akihiro Nakamura.
But Woodlands, who had defender Azmi Mahamud sent off in the 62nd
minute, then brought the score level after Masrezwan Masturi had
earned a controversial penalty, which was converted by league
top-scorer Laakkad Abdelhadi.
The game thus went down to a penalty shootout, where a twice-taken
spot kick by Hasrin Jailani was the highlight as last years losing
finalists won 5-3 to claim third place.
Woodlands started the match with four key players missing through
injury and suspension, including the midfield duo of Goh Tat Chuan
and Essa Basile.
Jorg Steinebrunner dealt with the staffing crisis by moving Laakkad
into midfield to partner Sazali Salleh, while Jeykanth Jeyapal
started in place of the injured Itimi Dickson.
Jeykanth started the match promisingly, as did the rest of
Woodlands, as Laakkad adapted admirably and gave plenty of steel
and industry to the teams engine room.
Balestier were playing at least equally as well, though, keeping
things tight all around and persistently putting their opponents
under plenty of pressure.
Kengne Ludovick was a major driving force in attack for the Tigers,
as he fought hard to add to his 24-goal haul in all
competitions.
Just as outstanding at the back was Mohamed Mardani, who was tough
as nails against his old club as he cut out attack after
potentially threatening attack.
The two players combined in the 22nd minute when Mardani met
Ludovicks corner with a powerful header, but Yazid Yasin proved
equal to the task with an excellent save.
It was not the first time Yazid had to save his teammates in the
match, and it was far from the last, although even his level best
was not enough to prevent Woodlands from going behind in the 37th
minute.
A silly free kick for a handball offence just outside the box
presented Balestier with a tantalizing chance to take the lead, and
Ludovicks powerful drive drew a good save from the compactly-built
custodian.
But then in came Nakamura, who had initially stood near the free
kick site, and the Tigers captain slammed the rebound home to
rapturous cheers from the red half of the Woodlands Stadium
crowd.
Going a goal down was bad enough for the Rams, and it could easily
have been worse as they had to cope with some combative and
industrious play by Balestier.
Azmi, detailed to mark Ludovick, clearly struggled with his
assignment, and while the tussles between the players went both
ways, the Rams centreback often reacted the harder and
consequently paid the price.
The 30-year-old centreback was shown the yellow card ten minutes
into the second half after hauling the Cameroonian down in the
centre of the park, and when the two clashed again seven minutes
later, Woodlands fans feared the worst.
Their fears were confirmed as referee Abas Daud brandished the
yellow card, followed by the red, leaving the Rams backline looking
dangerously thin with half an hour to go.
Balestier looked poised to exploit the situation, especially as
they had just brought on Osagie Ederaro, who made a surprise
appearance on the bench after recovering from a knee injury.
The Nigerian was not yet fully match-fit as he lacked his usual
pace, but still managed to cause a couple of dangerous moments,
most notably a blocked shot in the 67th minute.
But the face of the game changed completely in the 69th minute,
when Masrezwan went down in slow motion just inside the box under a
soft challenge by Mardani.
Abas took the bait by giving the spot kick despite the Balestier
players loud protests, and it was up to Laakkad to save the match
for Woodlands as he faced Fajar Sarib.
Fajar saved the Moroccans first effort, only to be told he had
moved off his line too early, and could do little to prevent the
retaken shot from going in the second time.
That proved the turning point as the Tigers lost their
psychological edge, and while they still had opportunities through
Ludovick, Mardani and Norikazu Murakami, they could not find the
second goal that would have averted the penalty shootout.
Having fallen to Chonburi under similar circumstances, the Tigers
were clearly apprehensive about facing their most dreaded
ghosts.
They thought they had exorcized them when Hasrin Jailani sent
Woodlands third spot kick wide, but Fajar, roaring in triumph, was
stunned when he was told he had again left his line early, leading
to the penalty being retaken again.
Hasrin made no mistake with his second effort, and the odds were
further stacked against Balestier when Abdul Rahman Hassan then saw
his shot caught by Yazid.
The Rams went on to convert their two remaining penalties for an
unassailable 5-3 lead, thereby ending the season on a high as they
left Abdul Karim Razzaks Tigers crushed.
Triumphant Steinebrunner hails both teams
Woodlands Wellington coach Jorg Steinebrunner praised his team
after they had given one of the best performances he has seen
since assuming the position in June.
The Rams faced immense pressure from Balestier Khalsa, going a goal
down and losing Azmi Mahamud to a red card, but clawed their way
back when Laakkad Abdelhadi converted a penalty in the 71st
minute.
Laakkad was one of the teams leading performers on the occasion,
playing excellently in midfield as Steinebrunner had to cope with a
manpower shortage.
But the German insisted the collective effort from the team was
what kept them in the game against Balestier, before winning the
RHB Singapore Cup 3rd-placing match in a penalty shootout.
It was not an easy game at all, but Im very proud of the team,
he said after the match.
Looking at the situation, we had two players suspended, and (Goh)
Tat Chuan and Itimi (Dickson) were out injured. So we actually
played with only seven from the first eleven, but the team still
fought hard.
Putting Laakkad in midfield may have turned a few heads, but the
way he played, he looked very comfortable. Hes my man of the
match, but tonights star was the entire team.
They showed determination, hunger, fighting spirit, everything. I
think its one of the best performances from the team in the way
they had given everything.
Steinebrunner, who was once with Balestier in his playing career,
also lauded his former club for their role in a very tight match
that saw them rarely giving an inch to Woodlands.
Remarking that a penalty shootout was a cruel and unfortunate way
to go down, he offered his commiserations to the Tigers after they
had given a brilliant performance.
Balestier contributed to a very good evening, and they too had
given everything they had to offer, said Steinebrunner.
That gave all the fans a very good game, a game that had
everything in it from the first to the last minute. To do that, you
need both teams, and you have to credit Balestier for it.
I can understand that the Balestier people are upset that this has
to go down to penalties, and losing in the penalty shootout is
especially heartbreaking. Id rather lose inside 90 minutes than in
a penalty shootout.
In that sense, I can imagine what it is for them, but they can
keep their head up and feel proud of their performance. They were
brilliant and gave us all a good game tonight.
Balestier coach Abdul Karim Razzak managed to contain his
disappointment after watching his team lose their lead to Laakkads
penalty, which was earned by Masrezwan Masturi under controversial
circumstances.
Masrezwan went down in the box under minimal contact from Mohamed
Mardani, and Laakkads spot kick had to be retaken after goalkeeper
Fajar Sarib was adjudged to have left his line too early in making
the save.
Balestier rued their luck once again in the penalty shootout, when
Hasrin Jailani was allowed to retake his kick under similar
circumstances as well.
But Karim felt proud of his teams performance on the night, and
consoled several tearful players as they left the field.
I think Masrezwans penalty was a bit soft, but the referee was
nearer to it than I was, so I have to give it to him for his
decision, he said afterwards.
The penalty changed the whole match, especially after the save was
disallowed. The players were a bit down after that, and they
understandably lost their composure.
But then we had enough chances to win the game comfortably before
that, and football is cruel to us when we dont put away our
chances. One penalty in the box, and everything suddenly
changes.
Still, we controlled the game very well for the most part, and we
had them where we wanted them to be. In the end, to lose a cup tie
to two retaken penalties is not something to be ashamed of.