Prime League • April 1, 2014
Prime League: Suria Stars as Warriors Claim First Win of the Season
Written By: Muhammad Yazid
Warriors FC finally tasted victory in the Great Eastern Yeo’s Prime League as they scored twice in the space of two minutes to emerge 2-0 victors over Tanjong Pagar United on Sunday evening at the Queenstown stadium.
After three consecutive draws, goals from Suria Prakash and captain Amin Rossady ensured that Kevin Wee’s charges earned three points.
It was the away side who started the game on a brighter note as Marcus Wheeler stretched to reach Amin’s free-kick in the seventh minute but was unlucky as it clipped off the crossbar.
The Jaguars did try to break the deadlock through M. Arvin five minutes later, but the skipper’s effort forced custodian Fahmi Ja’afar to a low save.
In the 33rd minute, Suria whipped in a cross from the right, only for Raden Ishmadi’s header to be parried away by Solehudin Abu for a corner.
The Rhinos then drew first blood three minutes before half-time when a miscommunication saw Afiq Tan lose possession of the ball. Chang Guo Guang capitalised on that before precisely laying it onto the path of Suria, who lifted and curled the ball over Solehudin with a left-footed finish.
Warriors added another a minute later to go into the break with a two-goal cushion when Suria turned provider by placing a low cross down the right for Amin to coolly finish.
The hosts only had one real chance in the second-half to clinch a consolation goal, but even that did not go their way as Lucas Jester’s shot from outside the penalty box flew just wide.
Despite already being practically assured of the win, the white-grey outfit was still on the search for more.
Five minutes before the final whistle there was yet another chance for the Warriors but substitute Nurhisham Suhaimi’s header clipped off the bar.
Head Coach Kevin Wee was very much of a ‘relieved’ man after the final whistle.
“It feels good to get the first win of the season and it is a big relief. We believed that we could score, and we did,” he said.
His counterpart, Nicolas Possetti, believed that the game did not end the way it started.
“We started pretty well, for the first 15 to 20 minutes, but eventually it became more difficult. Credits to Warriors, they are a good team and played very well.”