Written by: Khalis Rifhan

Harimau Muda’s performance in their nail-biting match against Tampines Rovers in the RHB Singapore Cup earned not only praised from their own coach, Razip Ismail, but also from their opponent’s bench.

“Everyone wants to do well especially in a cup tournament. Harimau Muda played very well and we got to give them the credit,” said Tampines team manager Clement Teo who stood in for coach Rafi Ali during the post-match interview.

For Razip, he was similarly pleased with how his boys pegged the Stags to the penalty shoot-out after they clawed their way back in extra-time by equalising in the final minute of play after Noh Alam Shah had given Tampines the lead in 127th minute.

“They gave their best. They way they fought back from one goal down to the last minute, I am very proud of them,” expressed Razip.

“In penalty kicks, anything can happen. In this level of play, they need to learn all these type of experience – the hard way.”

But Razip knew too well that a cup competition was different as compared to the league matches and he expected tougher games to come in the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League.

“In the S.League, every team never gives us a chance. They gave us a tough time,” he said.

“But given their (his team’s average) age, they managed to play well in some games. The only thing is the result does not come to our favour,” added the former Kuala Lumpur FA tactician.

Although Tampines were the firm favourites on paper, they failed to kill off the game in regulation time. But Teo was not perturbed with that as he preferred to look at the end result and shielded his goalkeeper Ridhuan Barudin from any blame for conceding the equaliser.

“A win is a win. We can’t deny that,” added Teo.

“We were worried. But we were confident as well with Ridhuan because he has got lots to prove.

“Eventually we realised that we need to make certain changes, upfront especially. So we did it.”