Sunday, June 28, 2009
SAF v Young Lions 2-1
A rare double header last night in Singapore with SAF hosting Young Lions while Gombak United hosted Home United nearby.
Duric gave the Champions the lead half way through the first half and I sat back expecting a goal glut. I had chosen this game in expectation of seeing Young Lions capitulate but I was mistaken. Instead what I and the 1,600 other fans got was a battling, determined display from the Young Lions who have disappointed this season.
They couldn't score, it took a skied clearance from Razaleigh Khalik to loop over his own keeper to bring the Young Lions back into the game.
SAF seemed strangelyat sorts and you got the feeling that a stronger team than the Lions could have secured at least a point. As it was poor control, especially from Khairul Nizam up front, cost them dearly.
He battled hard up front, especially when he got injured, but too often passes went astray and his first touch...put it this way. He couldn't trap rabbits. But he never gave up, he never hid and as I said he was always available even when he was plainly struggling.
Hariss Harun looked good in the middle for the visitors, highlighting the qualities that have made him so highly rated. He's a big strong lad, comfy on the ball and always looking for space.
It was perhaps inevitable the home side would get a late winner. For some obscure reason Khairul was called up by the ref for taking on three SAF defenders in the centre circle. That allowed the Warriors to regain possession and they didn't lose it until Zulfadli Zainal Abidin drove home a late, late winner.
The Young Lions collapsed, dejected. They never deserved three points but after a poor season they put on a throughly credible performance against the champions and can feel dead chuffed with themselves.
Images here ...
With Gombak beating Home, also by 2-1, it's as you were at the top of the SLeague with Gombak a point in the lead but SAF a game in hand.
Duric gave the Champions the lead half way through the first half and I sat back expecting a goal glut. I had chosen this game in expectation of seeing Young Lions capitulate but I was mistaken. Instead what I and the 1,600 other fans got was a battling, determined display from the Young Lions who have disappointed this season.
They couldn't score, it took a skied clearance from Razaleigh Khalik to loop over his own keeper to bring the Young Lions back into the game.
SAF seemed strangelyat sorts and you got the feeling that a stronger team than the Lions could have secured at least a point. As it was poor control, especially from Khairul Nizam up front, cost them dearly.
He battled hard up front, especially when he got injured, but too often passes went astray and his first touch...put it this way. He couldn't trap rabbits. But he never gave up, he never hid and as I said he was always available even when he was plainly struggling.
Hariss Harun looked good in the middle for the visitors, highlighting the qualities that have made him so highly rated. He's a big strong lad, comfy on the ball and always looking for space.
It was perhaps inevitable the home side would get a late winner. For some obscure reason Khairul was called up by the ref for taking on three SAF defenders in the centre circle. That allowed the Warriors to regain possession and they didn't lose it until Zulfadli Zainal Abidin drove home a late, late winner.
The Young Lions collapsed, dejected. They never deserved three points but after a poor season they put on a throughly credible performance against the champions and can feel dead chuffed with themselves.
Images here ...
With Gombak beating Home, also by 2-1, it's as you were at the top of the SLeague with Gombak a point in the lead but SAF a game in hand.
# posted by Me @ 9:15 AM 
