Tanjong Pagar United produced the biggest shock of the season so far when they shocked Home United 1-0 at Queenstown Stadium in week 11 of the Great Eastern Yeo’s S-League. The result raised a few eyebrows across the football fraternity as Home United were in fine form, after staying undefeated in their last five matches in all competitions.
Tanjong Pagar on the other hand, was winless from their last three and they are on the back of a 0-5 drubbing by Courts Young Lions in the previous week on the same ground. But the boys in red and white stripes surprised many as Takaya Kawanabe grabbed the solitary goal in the 67th minute off a cross from Aliff Shafaein’s cross to give the Jaguars only their second victory of the season. It was Takaya’s fifth goal of the season, and he seems to be on the right track to fulfill his pre-season promise to the club – scoring more goals than last season. With the surprise loss, the Protectors missed the chance to climb up to second in the table.
An early goal by Shahrazen Said’s in the fourth minute and a brace by Rodrigo Grahl in the 29 th and 63rd minute penalty set Brunei DPMM up for yet another convincing 3-0 win over Woodlands Wellington over in Bandar Seri Bengawan. The win ensured that the Bruneians returning to the summit of the league table with two points ahead of Balestier Khalsa, whom received a “BYE” in the week’s fixtures.
Over at Clementi Stadium, All eyes were on Tampines Rovers’ Ahmad Latiff as he finally made his season debut after clearing the beep test earlier in the week. But it was not Tampines day to be, as Mislav Karoglan’s goal in the 84th minute gave SAFFC their second consecutive 1-0 victory.
Courts Young Lions kept up with their recent fine form as they grabbed their second consecutive victory in the league thanks to Canadian Under-23 International, Sheriff El-Masri, whose first goal of the season in the 13th minute was enough to be the difference between the cubs and Gombak United at the Jalan Besar Stadium. Six goals from two games, and with none conceded, Courts Young Lions look good as one of those teams that will climb the table in the coming weeks.
With four players unavailable due to National team duties and the squad being further depleted by injuries to some key players, Harimau Muda had only 13 outfield players to choose from for the game against Hougang United. Hougang United’s “twin towers” Stanislav Vidakovic & Ante Barac made things difficult for Harimau Muda. The Malaysians were obviously focused on getting a job done. The young team from Malaysia was focused and determine, as the managed to grind out a 3-1 win at the Yishun Stadium. Thamil Arasu drew first blood for Harimau Muda when he scored from the spot in the 20th minute and Captain Affize Faisal’s brace in the 39th and 90th ensured Harimau Muda’s win over the Cheetahs. Jordan Webb netted a consolation in the 49th minute off a Mamadou Diallo’s cross.
Despite playing with three strikers upfront, Albirex Niigata (S) did not find a way through a resolute Geylang United’s backline led by captain and axrosstheline.com featured player, Yazid Yasin in goal. Yazid produced some excellent saves to ensure both teams shared the spoils in the 0-0 draw.
With the results over the last week, Balestier Khalsa lost their top position to Brunei DPMM on the S-League standings, with six points separating the top six sides in the league. SAFFC is slowing recovering from a slow start, nothing two successive 1-0 wins in as many games to be on seventh place with 14 points.
At the bottom of the table, Courts Young Lions, Geylang United and Tanjong Pagar United are make up the last three teams in the league with seven points, and Woodlands Wellington are not too far from being associated with the three, being just one point ahead of the trio, after a promising start to the season. There are two more rounds to go before the first half of the season comes to a close, who will top the table in mid season? It’s a tough call to us at least.
