Hassan Sunny rescues Sailors, Tanjong Pagar Utd thrash Hougang Utd, Amy Recha double seals points for Geylang
Image credit: Singapore Premier League
ALBIREX NIIGATA 1-1 LION CITY SAILORS: HASSAN SUNNY HEROICS RESCUE SAILORS
24 July 2021, Singapore - Goalkeeper Hassan Sunny delivered a man-of-the-match performance for Lion City Sailors in the top of the table clash with champions Albirex Niigata, with the two title chasing clubs settling for a point at Jurong East Stadium.
In a match which saw new Sailors Head Coach Kim Do-hoon make his Singapore Premier League bow, the Sailors were slow out of the blocks and spent much of the first half chasing shadows.
Image credit: Lion City Sailors Facebook
Albirex Niigata were industrious as always, and created several guilt edge chances but were thwarted each time by the heroics of Singapore national custodian Hassan Sunny in the Lion City Sailors goal, with his finger tip save on 32 minutes to deny Nagasawa's 25-yard effort the pick of the bunch.
The White Swans would not be denied however, and duly went ahead through Ryoya Taniguchi who converted from the penalty spot after Yu Tokiwa was felled by Aqhari Abdullah.
The Sailors came out a more creative side after the break with the introduction of Brazilian playmaker Diego Lopes, and their pressure told eventually with Lopes releasing Hafiz Nor down the left before the latter's cutback was fired into the roof of the net by hitman Stipe Plazibat.
Image credit: Singapore Premier League
HOUGANG UNITED 1 - 4 TANJONG PAGAR UNITED: HISTORIC WIN FOR JAGUARS
Tanjong Pagar United scored only their second league win of the season, and their first over third placed Hougang United since 2013 when they hammered the Cheetahs 4-1 at home.
After a goal-less first half, the floodgates opened in the two minutes into the second period with Tanjong Pagar United drawing first blood through Anaqi Ismit, who got on the end of a teasing cross by Reo Nishiguchi to put the Jaguars in front.
Image credit: Singapore Premier League
Not looking to be outdone on their home patch, Hougang United duly drew level through Japanese hitman Tomoyuki Doi's 15th goal of the season. The league's top scorer bent his free kick on the edge of the area into the far corner of Zharfan Rohaizad's goal, leaving the custodian rooted to the spot to level the scores.
Reo Nishiguchi added a third for Tanjong Pagar United in the 88th minute when he cut aside and let fly a clever left footed finish that went in off Izwan Mahbud's right hand post to put it beyond the Cheetahs, before Khairul Amri fired home from close range after being set up by fellow substitute Suhairi Sabri.
GEYLANG INTERNATIONAL 3-1 BALESTIER KHALSA: EAGLES BATTLE BACK
Geylang International recovered from going behind to register three goals and seal all 3 points in their first match after the SPL hiatus.
A defensive mistake cost Geylang International dear inside the opening 11 minutes and Sime Zuzul made no mistake from the edge of the area, rifling home after outmuscling Eagles skipper Ichikawa.
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The goal came much against the run of play as Geylang had dominated the earlier exchanges with high pressing play, forcing the Balestier into rushed clearances.
They eventually found their breakthrough on 39 minutes through a swift counterattack that was started by Barry Maguire, who picked out Moresche's clever
overlapping run down the left, who in turn set up Amy Recha to finish with aplomb past an onrushing Riki Kumura in the Balestier goal.
Image credit: Singapore Premier League
The Brazilian provider then turned goalscorer when he scored his 9th goal of the season 8 minutes into the second half, timing his run perfectly to reach Maguire's pass and dink it over Kumura for Geylang's second.
The Eagles doubled their lead just 5 minutes later when from a similar position Barry Maguire picked out Amy Recha, who found himself in oceans of space, and duly turned his marker for fire home his second and seal the points for the Eagles.
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