News • April 21, 2017

Eagles Soar With Victory Over DPMM

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Written by: Phoon Jia Hui

Geylang International notched their second win on the trot in the 2017 Great Eastern-Hyundai S.League after a comfortable 2-0 victory over Brunei DPMM at the Bedok Stadium on Thursday night.

Shahfiq Ghani and Victor Coto struck on either side of half-time as the result saw the Eagles move joint-third with Home United on 10 points.

Geylang started the match brightly and got their noses in front after 13 minutes with an unmarked Shahfiq blasting home from close range after a cutback from Stanely Ng.


The visitors could have levelled matters three minutes later but Yura Indera Putera could only send a header straight at Syazwan Buhari.

Ricardo Sendra then nearly doubled Geylang’s lead on 22 minutes but his first touch off a Shahfiq freekick delivery left much to be desired as Wardun Yussof collected the loose ball.

At the other end, Rafael Ramazotti had the ball in the net after nodding home from a set-piece but it was ruled out for offside.


Shahfiq then had two attempts on goal on 31st and 42nd minute but they were unable to trouble Wardun, who was reinstated back into the DPMM starting line-up.

Ramazotti could have reduced the deficit for the Wasps on the stroke of half-time when he rose highest to meet a corner but headed over the bar instead.

Billy Mehmet stung the palms of Syazwan three minutes after the restart but it was Geylang who extended their advantage in the 52nd minute.


After Shahfiq was brought down by Yura in the box, Coto stepped up to convert the resulting penalty for his second goal of the season.

Seven minutes later, Ramazotti was set up by Azwan Ali Rahman inside the box but Anders Aplin put in a vital last-ditch block to deny the Brazilian forward.

Azwan then nearly pulled one back for the Wasps fifteen minutes from time with a dipping effort but Syazwan did well to recover and tip the ball over for a corner.

Substitute Shawal Anuar fired over in the closing stages but it mattered little as Hasrin Jailani’s side collected all three points that were on offer.

DPMM will be looking to return to winning ways when they host Tampines Rovers on Apr 28 while Geylang face another tough test in the form of Home at the Bishan Stadium in another match played on the same day.


Geylang International Head Coach Hasrin Jailani: “Everyone did well today, we more or less controlled the game today and did very well defensively. We knew they have two tall strikers and we managed to close them down, but at the same time we could not afford to let their players go down the flanks.

“I feel relieved at the end of the day but there’s still a long way to go. We’ve got another two games to finish off first round. Most importantly, the win helped boost the confidence of the team.”


Brunei DPMM Head Coach Steve Kean: “I thought we gave away the two goals. To be honest, the first goal from the touchline was too easy and the second, the defender (Yura) should learn that he has to clear at first opportunity.

“I felt certain parts of the game we gave Geylang too much time on the ball and we should do better (in that aspect). We have to adapt our tactics according to the opposition but now it’s back home and back to hard work.”

Geylang International: Syazwan Buhari (GK), Darren Teh, Anders Aplin, Yuki Ichikawa, Al-Qaasimy Rahman, Ricardo Sendra (Amy Recha 53’), Isa Halim (C), Safirul Sulaiman, Stanely Ng (Shawal Anuar 71’), Shahfiq Ghani (Gabriel Quak 81’), Victor Coto

Brunei DPMM: Wardun Yussof (GK), Rosmin Kamis (C), Zeljko Savic, Yura Indera Putera, Maududi Hilmi Kasmi, Azwan Ali Rahman, Nurikhwan Othman (Azim Izamuddin 71’), Hendra Azam (Azwan Saleh 71’), Najib Tarif, Billy Mehmet, Rafael Ramazotti