Written by: Aysha Ridzuan

Geylang International held Home United to a 2-2 draw at Jalan Besar Stadium on Friday night.

Ken Ilso put the Protectors ahead early in the game, but the lead was cancelled out by Stanely Ng just ten minutes later to help the Eagles draw level.

Al-Qaasimy Rahman then scored an own goal before the break that gave Home the advantage again, before Amy Recha slammed home an equaliser for the Eagles seconds after the break.

The draw meant it was the Eagles’ sixth stalemate after eight games in the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League this season.

Geylang, the designated hosts, were the first to threaten as soon as the referee blew the whistle for kick-off as forward Amy Recha drove through the Protectors’ defence, but sent his shot wide of the top of the goalpost.

Two minutes later, the Protectors countered as Khairul Nizam met Ambroise Begue’s cross but sent his header straight into the arms of Geylang custodian Syazwan Buhari.

Safirul Sulaiman was next to try his luck with a half-volley attempt from outside the box that forced Home goalkeeper Hyrulnizam Jumaat into a full stretch to tip the midfielder’s shot just inches over the bar.

The Protectors responded with another counter-attack as Nizam met a cross from Sirina Camara, but again, headed the ball into the arms of Syazwan.

Home then took the lead in their next attack in the 15th minute when Ilso headed home Juma’at Jantan’s cross from close range.

However, the Eagles responded less than ten minutes later when Ng latched on to Faritz Hameed’s cross to slot in the equaliser for the Eagles.

Home subsequently took the lead again just before the break his time when Geylang’s defender Al-Qaasimy turned in Camara’s cross after Nizam had helped it on.

Geylang came out after the break with all guns blazing and restored parity just seconds after the break when Amy fired a fierce drive from outside the 18-yard box into the bottom corner of the net.

Safirul could have doubled the Eagles’ lead ten minutes later when he attempted a long-range shot, but his shot flew narrowly over the bar.

The Eagles continued to pile on the pressure and almost increased their lead again when Carlos Delgado pounced on a loose ball from a corner and passed it to Yuki Ichikawa, but the subsitute missed the chance to tap it in from close range.

Gabriel Quak then lined up a free-kick from 20-yards in the 68th minute, but his low delivery attempt went into the side-netting.

Home almost increased their lead against the run of play six minutes later, whnen Ilso raced down the left to meet Nizam’s pass, but his attempt from outside the box went straight to Syazwan.

Subsitute Sahil Suhaimi had a chance to increase Geylang’s lead minutes after coming on for Ng when he broke through Home’s defence, but was unable to put the ball past Hyrulnizam.

With timing running out, Ilso could have stolen all three points for Home when he fired a brilliant shot just outside the area, but was denied by the woodwork, before Nizam saw his piledriver tipped over the bar by Syazwan.

Geylang International coach Hasrin Jailani: “I think we played badly in the first half but we came back stronger in the second half. In fact, we almost scored when Sahil came on. I think I’m pleased with a point considering how bad we played in the first half.

“However, we need to move on from this and start winning to pick up points because when we keep drawing, we lose a lot of points. So to be up there with the best teams now, we need to win.”

Home United coach Philippe Aw: “I am not satisfied with a point. We gave away cheap goals tonight. However, considering that we left out some regular players, the team did very well.

“I felt that we started very well…we dominated the first half and then later the game started to even out.

“Nevertheless I think it was a good performance by the team. We are a young team with just a few old heads in the team.

“The more games the younger players get to play, the more experience they will get. The club philosophy is such and I believe we’ll come good for sure.”

Geylang International FC: Syazwan Buhari (GK), Daniel Bennett, Shariff Samat (Yuki Ichikawa 45’), Faritz Hameed, Al-Qaasimy, Isa Halim (C), Stanely Ng (Sahil Suhaimi 80’), Safirul Sulaiman, Carlos Delgado, Gabriel Quak, Amy Recha

Home United FC: Hyrulnizam Jumaat (GK), Juma’at Jantan (C), Shahrin Saberin (Zulfahmi Ariffin 72’), Abdil Qaiyyim, Sirina Camara, Ambroise Begue, Azhar Sairudin (Aqhari Abdullah 77’), Shamil Sharif, Syahiran Miswan, Khairul Nizam, Ken Ilso