2009 AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: SAFFC vs Shanghai Shenhua(CHN) Report [1-1]

Latiff and Shahril prove point for Warriors Gary Koh info@sleague.com Singapore Armed Forces FC claimed their first point in the AFC Champions League group stage when they claimed a hard-earned 1-1 draw with Chinese outfit Shanghai Shenhua at Jalan Besar on Tuesday evening. Ahmad Latiff Khamarudin struck a volley outside the box to give the Warriors the lead just before the half-hour before Argentinean forward Hernan Barcos spared the visitors the embarrassment of a loss with a narrow-angled shot in injury time. While the late goal prevented SAFFC from taking full points, they had former Singapore custodian Shahril Jantan to thank for keeping them ahead for over an hour as he pulled off a catalogue of outstanding saves to keep the Chinese at bay. The draw ensured the hosts ended their continental showing at home on a high, while their opponents are now left needing a miracle to advance to the next stage. SAFFC, missing the services of suspended midfielder John Wilkinson, opted to leave regulars Therdsak Chaiman, Shaiful Esah and Hafiz Osman on the bench as Syed Karim made his full continental debut in this competition. Shanghai came into the penultimate tie knowing that only a victory would do if they were to catch Suwon Samsung Bluewings, who were second in Group G following a 0-3 loss to Kashima Antlers earlier in the day. Midfielder Chen Tao recovered sufficiently to make the starting eleven, but team captain Du Wei was left on the sidelines, leaving his deputy Cheng Liang to partner Bulgarian Yanko Valkanov in central defence. The away side started frantically, playing balls forward as they sought an early goal. Yu Tao was at the heart of many early Shanghai offensives as he fed opportunities for attackers Vyacheslav Hleb, Chen and Barcos to convert, only to find the SAFFC defence a far tougher nut to crack than expected. Warriors goalkeeper Shahril was called into action early in the game, when he saved well from an unmarked Hleb on the left side of the penalty area. The former national custodian then did well to keep his side in the contest when he turned acrobatically to deny Yu on 21 minutes. As Shanghai were left increasingly frustrated by their inability to find the quick goal, SAFFC took a composed approach in attack. While Shahril was the rock in defence, Latiff was the inspiration going forward, forging a threatening axis up front with Park Tae Won and Aleksandar Duric. His through balls from midfield allowed the latter duo to mount counterattacks that left the Shanghai backline in sixes and sevens. It was one such move on 29 minutes that enabled the home side to take the lead for the first time in the group stage. Park started it well as he worked his way along the right before he was dispossessed by his markers. The loose ball found its way to Latiff, who thumped a ferocious volley from outside the box that left Shanghai goalkeeper Qiu Shengjiong no chance. The remaining 60 minutes may well be the longest 60 the visitors had ever experienced. Set back by the shock goal, the Shanghai offensive grew more desperate with every second that ticked away. As they pushed men forward in search of the equalizer, huge gaps began to emerge between defence and midfield. That left the back four with much to handle as they scrambled back whenever SAFFC launched one counterattack after another. The visitors also fell victim to the Warriors’ disciplined offside trap as they resorted to achieving any means to get a crack at Shahril’s goal. Shanghai thought they had gained the goal they needed when Chen followed up from Shahril’s save off Barcos to stab home, only to be ruled out for offside. The Chinese Super League runners-up nearly paid the price for that decision in the 56th minute, when Latiff’s 40-metre direct free kick was punched away by Qiu. Australian midfielder Mark Milligan came close to levelling the scores when his close-range attempt squirmed under Shahril’s body and crashed off the post three minutes later. The visitors’ frustration at the officials eventually boiled over after an hour, when Yin Xifu ran onto the pitch to take over from Wang Hongliang, who was on the sidelines receiving treatment, without permission from the officials. Both were booked for the act, and reserve goalkeeper Wang Dalei also joined them in the caution list for protesting too loudly. As the match approached its conclusion, Shanghai pushed forward in greater desperation as SAFFC pulled men back in their own half to defend their advantage. They finally broke the Warriors’ stubborn resistance in the dying minutes when Barcos latched on to a long pass by Yu and rifled home from a tight angle. But there was no way they would beat Shahril a second time, and their miserable outing was complete when Cheng and Valkanov were shown yellow for dissent in the final seconds. Shanghai coach Jia Xiuquan admitted progressing beyond the group stage would now be a tall order following this stalemate. He lamented his side’s inability to convert the opportunities they had, as they now go seven matches without a win in all competitions. “The players tried their best and created many chances. They remained resilient to the end,” he said. “The main problem for us is there are too few goals after making so many chances. We need to work on this area. The former China international also appeared unsurprised when SAFFC opened the scoring. “I had mentioned before that SAFFC are not a weak team, so it is possible for them to score. It was no shame for us when they scored first.” SAFFC coach Richard Bok hailed his side’s fine performance as they scored their first point in the group after five attempts. “One point is like a win for us. It is a fantastic result for us and the players put up a determined, brave performance,” he beamed. He was happy that the Warriors also achieved their aim of getting points off the Chinese side. “We analyzed all three teams in the group and realized that Kashima Antlers and Suwon Samsung Bluewings are really a few levels above us,” he added. “The only team whom we have a chance of getting at least a point is Shanghai Shenhua.” He believed by ending a three-match losing streak with the draw, SAFFC would grow in confidence for the remainder of their domestic campaign. They next face Tampines Rovers in a match that could see them reclaim top spot in the league, while the Avaya-J&J League Cup in June represents another opportunity to add to their already-burgeoning trophy haul. “The point tonight is a morale-booster for us. It puts us in a very good frame of mind before we play Tampines this Saturday.”