Written by: Muhammad Yazid
Courts Young Lions lifted themselves off the root of the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League table after a comfortable 2-0 victory over Hougang United at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
The result lifts the Young Lions above Woodlands Wellington to put themselves in tenth place with 22 points, four points behind their closest competitors, Tanjong Pagar United.
Faris Ramli scored on his debut to put his team in the driving seat within the first ten minutes of the game, before Sahil Suhaimi added a second in the second half.
The first chance of the game fell in the hands of Sahil, who let fly a strike from the edge of the penalty box which was well handled by Fadhil Salim.
Just moments later, Hougang’s Geison Moura had time and space at his disposal as he tried to catch Syazwan Buhari at his far post, but his low finish went just wide.
The Young Lions drew first blood nine minutes into the game through former LionsXII player, Faris.
The winger made a marauding 30-yard run on the left flank before coolly slotting the ball past Fadhil in the penalty box.
Hougang were trying to find the equaliser but the Young Lions remained stubborn at the back, not allowing them any space.
The Cheetahs were hoping to start the second half with an equaliser to get back into the game but Syazwan Buhari had other ideas as he denied Moura with a low save.
The custodian had to be stretchered out for what it seemed like a serious injury and substitute goalkeeper Rudy Khairullah was called into action as soon as he stood in between the sticks, with a save to prevent Shunsuke Nakatake from bagging an equaliser.
Just as Hougang were dominating possession and trying to break through the Young Lions defence, Aide Iskandar’s side retaliated with a second goal to seal the win in the 71st minute.
Faris used his pace to torment the Hougang defence before being brought down in the danger area to win a free-kick, and Sahil stepped up to curl the ball over the wall and into the top corner of the net from 20 yards out.
Things got worse for Hougang when Fairoz Hassan received his marching orders for a second bookable offence.
Sahil could have increased the lead for his team and claimed a brace for himself if not for his swerving free-kick from the side which whizzed past the post.