Geylang United vs Young Lions Report [1-1]

Young Lions make a point at Bedok

Gerald Lee
info@sleague.com

Geylang United may have headed into this game on the back of a three-game winning streak, but they were fortunate to come away with a draw against a spirited Young Lions side.

The goals which canceled each other out came within two minutes, Goh Swee Swee putting the Young Lions into the lead in the 34th minute before the home team’s Shah Hirul equalised in the 36th.

The Eagles went into this game without Singapore international Baihakki Khaizan and Slovak midfielder Ratislav Belicak, both suspended for the game.

On the other teamsheet, Young Lions coach Terry Pathmanathan started with Chinese striker Yang Mu, who recently broke his duck, and Fadhil Noh, who came in for Khairul Nizam upfront.

It was a combination that repeatedly tested the home side and five minutes in, the gangly Yang used his big frame to perfection, skillfully turning away from Geylang’s Japanese defender Haruki Seto and creating space for himself in a crowded penalty box. But his subsequent crack at goal went wide.

The Young Lions continued to battle hard in search of the opening goal, with wingers Goh and Eugene Luo making promising forays down both flanks while the Eagles - in the absence of Baihakki - looked stretched in defence.

At the other end of the field though, Geylang United were looking dangerous on the counter-attack. Slovak midfielder Miroslav Latiak worked tirelessly in the Eagles’ engine room, and his probing balls down the flanks repeatedly found skipper Noor Ali in acres of space.

The veteran winger did well to get his crosses into the box, but Nigerian Obadin Aikhena proved to be a tough nut to crack in the visitor’s box, with his commanding physical presence and aerial ability.

The best chances of the half were falling to the Young Lions. Luo crashed a powerful effort off Yazid Yasin’s crossbar, while Goh got to the rebound but had his shot deflected for a corner.

The visitors did draw first blood when the former Gombak winger Goh was afford time and space outside the box, time and space which he exploited with delight, arrowing a fierce shot past Yazid for 1-0.

It was not an advantage that would last long though, and the goal which arrived two minutes later at the other end was similar to the first, Shah Hirul unleashing a drive from long range of his own which had Izwan Mahbud in the Young Lions goal beaten.

Yang continued to threaten for the rest of the game, holding the ball up well and drawing fouls, but the Young Lions were unable to capitalise on the resultant set-pieces.

Gabriel Quak, who replaced the goalscorer Goh in the second half, looked lively and got into a number of good positions but demonstrated a lack of the finishing touch.

“I must admit we did not play well,” said Geylang coach Mike Wong. “A draw is a fair result. We created a number of chances but were unable to capitalise on them.

“We gave them too much time and space on the ball. Today we really missed Baihakki and Belicak, two players who are able to provide stability for us at the back. Without that stability we found it very difficult to move up and attack.”

Another problem that the Eagles faced, according to Wong, was cohesion. “This is a fairly new team. And in order for any team to play well at the highest level, it will take them at least six months to gel. We are looking to close the gaps on the leaders like SAFFC and Gombak United, but it will take time.”

Young Lions coach Terry Pathmanathan was frustrated at leaving Bedok Stadium with only a point, but proclaimed himself pleased with his side’s performance.

“Geylang scored from a deflected shot, so I think they are very lucky to come away with a point,” he said. “For the amount of effort my boys put in, we deserved to win.

“I’m very happy with our performance today. We were organised and disciplined, and created many chances for ourselves – even in the absence of Isa (Halim) and Haris Harun.”