Written By: Kenneth Ho

Geylang International and ten-man Tanjong Pagar United played out a 1-1 draw at Bedok Stadium on Thursday evening.

Both sides had to settle for a point each after Leonel Felice cancelled out Sebastien Etiemble’s opener in the first half.

The Jaguars also saw captain Ahmad Latiff being dismissed late in the game after he received his second yellow card in the game.

Games between these two have always been tight, and so it proved again on this evening. However, both sides did enjoy some chances.

Tanjong Pagar goalkeeper Aurelien Herisson was made to work in the first minute, when Felice forced him into a low save following a free kick by Mustaqim Manzur.

Aliff Shafaein then failed to connect with a Hafiz Nor lay off, as Geylang knocked on the doors of Tanjong Pagar’s goal.

The visitors had their first sight of goal in the 13th minute when Etiemble forced a header towards goal, but the effort was well-blocked by Siddiq Durimi.

Geylang nearly went ahead on the half-hour mark, when Kento Fukuda’s header met Mustaqim’s corner from close range. Unfortunately, the ball trickled wide of the far post.

Almost immediately, Tanjong Pagar grabbed the lead as an innocuous mis-hit shot by Etiemble was adjudged to have crossed the line after Siddiq caught the ball.

However, Geylang hit back two minutes later to level matters as Felice was allowed to poke home a rebound after Herisson made a good save from Mustaqim’s free kick.

The tempo died down a little following the quick-fire goals, and there was no chance to speak of in the game till the 63rd minute, when Herisson parried a long range shot by Franco Chivilo.

The Tanjong Pagar custodian was called upon once again ten minutes later, as he had to deal with another shot from range, this time hit by Shah Hirul.

Seven minutes from time, Felice then hit a shot from close range over the bar as both side continued a frustrating evening in front of goal.

The Jaguars went a man down in the 85th minute, when Latiff received a second yellow after he clattered into Hafiz, and that was the last noteworthy piece of action before the game drew to a close.