Written By: Stanley Yeo

Geylang International FC edged out Warriors FC 2-1 in a fiercely contested game at Jalan Besar Stadium on Friday night to progress to the quarter-finals of RHB Singapore Cup.

Madhu Mohana opened the scoring in the first half for the Warriors but Geylang turned the table in the second half as Sahil Suhaimi and Faritz Hameed scored a goal each to claim a win for the Bedok-based club.

Warriors were lucky not to be penalised with a freekick and red card after Madhu Mohan brought down Sahil Suhaimi at the edge of the penalty box shortly after kick-off.

The first real opportunity fell to Warriors’ youngster Marijan Suto after twenty minutes of play. Marijan found himself in acres of space at the far post but his header crashed off the crossbar and was cleared by Geylang’s defender. However, any disappointments quickly dissipated as Madhu Mohana rose above a sea of defenders to steer home Hafiz Rahim’s corner.

To the dismay of the Eagles fans, Madhu got away with another clumsy tackle on Sahil Suhaimi, this time in the penalty box just before halftime.

Trailing by a goal, Hasrin Jailani’s charges came out of the dressing room all fired up for the second half as they put on a more organised and attacking performance.

Within seconds from the restart, Geylang equalised through Sahil Suhaimi, who was at the right place at the right time to bundle home a rebound following a Carlos Delagado corner.

Geylang were not satisfied with an equaliser, pushing on for the second goal and it duly came in the 53rd minute. Gabriel Quak raced down the left flank before picking out Faritz Hameed who had the simple task of tapping the ball in.

Although Warriors desperate pushed for an equaliser, both sides failed to carve out any tangible opportunity as the night ended in favour of the Bedok outfit.

Geylang International head coach Hasrin Jailani: “I think we deserved it but second half we were the much better team. The first half we controlled the game but they scored. During the second half we told the players you need to play more than 100% in order to win. We showed that we were the hungrier side.

We are very determined to move forward and try to win the cup but we are meeting Albirex Niigata (S) over two legs in the next round of the competition.  I think we can match Albirex but we have to be very disciplined and smart as they are a very organised side.”

Warriors FC caretaker coach Razif Onn: “I think we played accordingly in the first half but the second half we suffered a lapse in concentration. Both goals came from counter attacks from the left side.

I think it is very unfair for me to criticise the players. We work a lot on defending crosses but perhaps we lacked effort and concentration. “

Geylang International FC: Syazwan Buhari (GK), Yuki Ichikawa, Gabriel Quak (Branko Cubrilo 80′), Daniel Bennett, Fartiz Hameed, Safirul Sulaiman, Al-Qaasimy Rahman, Carlos Delgado, Sahil Suhaimi, Nor Azli Yusoff (C), Shawal Anwar (Stanely Ng 35′)

Warriors FC: Yazid Yasin (GK), Zulfadli Zainal (C), Kento Fukuda, Madhu Mohana, Hafiz Osman, Poh Yi Feng (Ismail Yunos 61′), Hafiz Nor, Hafiz Rahim (Fazli Jaffar 71′) Jonathan Behe, Emmeric Ong, Marijan Suto