Goals at the tail end of both
halves were enough for SAFFC to open up a six point lead at the top
after a 2-0 win over Geylang United.
After the Eagles had fallen behind to Jonathan Xu's own goal just
before half-time, S.League topscorer Aleksandar Duric wrapped up
the tie five minutes from the end with his ninth of the
season.
The Warriors had to endure a series of gilt-edged chances spurned
by Geylang though, who suffered from a lack of the sort of
firepower offered by their former striker Duric.
"Although we won, it was a hard game. Geylang were tough opponents
as we expected and I am sure they will come back from this defeat,"
said SAFFC coach Richard Bok.
"They are a good and young team, but the talent and quality they
have is there to see.
His Warriors side had the first opportunity to go ahead in the 12th
minute - three of them which came in consecutive fashion in
fact.
First Eagles keeper Hassan Sunny was at full-stretch to deny SAFFC
fullback Shaiful Esah his second goal of the season from a
freekick.
From the resulting corner, Hassan again had to tip away, this time
from Therdsak Chaiman's chip.
Then the Warriors played what is becoming a familiar set-piece
routine, with John Wilkinson ever ready to utilise his lethal
shooting from range. But he found Hassan a stumbling block this
time around.
The home side had their share of chances. Ghanian striker Kim Grant
muscled past Kenji Arai and Daniel Bennett and his shot from a
tight angle beat keeper Shahril Jantan, but not the post.
Korean midfielder Bae Jin Soo then wasted a decent chance by
dwelling on his shot before SAFFC made them pay just before the
break.
The damage was done by winger Jamil Ali, who moved to SAFFC from
Geylang this season. His cross from the right deflected in past a
stranded Hassan via the despairing, lunging boot of Eagles defender
Jonathan Xu.
Geylang are made of sterner stuff these days though and they came
out after the break hunting for a equaliser.
In the 52nd minute, Fadzuhasny Juraimi's fierce drive was tipped
over by Warriors keeper Shahril, while seven minutes later Grant's
freekick went over.
Substitute Hafiz Rahim had perhaps the best chance of an equaliser
which would have cheered the hearts of most at Bedok Stadium.
But his connection in the 69th minute with a cross from another
substitute Rangsan Vivatchaichok was poor and the ball trickled
wide of the goal guarded only by Shahril.
The missed chances were beginning to take a mental toll on Geylang
and you could sense the desperation around the stadium when big
striker Grant fired over the bar after being left unmarked in the
84th minute.
As in the first half, SAFFC took advantage of the Eagles'
profligacy as Duric sealed the win for his side five minutes from
the end.
Receiving a pass from the tireless Therdsak, the big man
side-stepped his marker with a delicate shimmy and from seven
metres out placed it beyond Geylang custodian Hassan.
Im pleased and had a warm feeling after scoring the goal,
especially when it came in the final minutes and tiredness and
fatigue had crept in, said the veteran forward.
On the night that was the difference between two teams who fought
tooth and nail for the goals and the eventual victory - SAFFC made
its chances and took them while Geylang had the chances but spurned
them.