Written By: Muhammad Yazid

Woodlands Wellington played out a third consecutive draw as they were held to a 2-2 draw by a spirited Courts Young Lions side who were determined to put behind the disappointment from their previous two losses in the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League campaign.

Despite conceding barely 40 seconds into the match, the Rams twice clawed back to draw level in the match and preserve their unbeaten streak in the league.

Jordan Webb indulged himself in a long run from the left after skipping past a couple of challenges before perfectly laying the ball towards Shamil Sharif. The latter decided to have a shot at goal from outside the penalty box and it flew past a rooted Woodlands goalkeeper Yazid Yasin.

That early goal set the tone of the game as both teams went on the offensive thereafter.

Chang Jo Yoon’s 30-yard free-kick a minute after the opener was simple for Rudy Khairullah to handle while his left-foot shot from inside the penalty box which sailed over the bar were the only non-converted chances Woodlands had in the first half, until the 40th minute when Stewart’s side were presented with a free-kick.

Armanizam Dolah stepped up and his curling free-kick was met by a far-post header from Walid Lounis into the path of his defensive partner Milos Jevtic, and the Serbian acrobatically sent the ball into the back of the net with a spectacular bicycle-kick.

The second half proved to be more action-packed than the first, especially during the final ten minutes which produced two goals.

Aide Iskandar’s side regained the lead in the 81st minute when substitute Muhaymin Salim made a mazy run after skipping past Andy Ahmad and Walid before laying the ball to Shamil, who grabbed his brace by coolly placing the ball into goal after Yazid came off his line.

But that lead only lasted for five minutes as the Rams scored the equaliser once again from a set-piece.

Goh Swee Swee’s effort was palmed away for a corner and the resulting corner from Rosman Sulaiman was glanced in by substitute Taufiq Ghani, who claimed his second goal of the season.

The home side had two chances to take the lead for the third time but Andy was alert enough to clear a Fadli Kamis header off the line while Yazid showed flexibility to deny Muhaymin’s effort late into the game.