SINGAPORE PREMIER LEAGUE
Hougang United 4
Geylang International 1
Hougang United's dead-eye over the dead-ball, Zulfahmi Arifin, proved the difference in the 4-1 romp over Geylang International at the Jalan Besar Stadium yesterday that lifted the Cheetahs to second in the Singapore Premier League.
The Hougang skipper provided assists for Jordan Vestering (7th minute) and Afiq Yunos (67th), from a corner kick and a free kick respectively, with Amir Zalani (55th) and Fazrul Nawaz (83rd) scoring the home side's other goals.
A header by Dutch midfielder Barry Maguire in the 49th minute had given Geylang hope for a fightback, but proved mere consolation.
Geylang coach Noor Ali said the difference in quality between the two sides was telling - only four in his matchday squad have earned Singapore caps, compared to half of Hougang's 18-man team.
"We had our chances but, at the end of the day, quality is what counts," said the 43-year-old.
"They don't pay Zulfahmi (well) for no reason, and his delivery of the ball was something we found very hard to contain."
Zulfahmi, 27, recently scored his first international goal for Singapore, curling home a fine free kick from 25m in the 1-1 draw with Oman on March 23.
WORTHY
They don't pay Zulfahmi (well) for no reason, and his delivery of the ball was something we found very hard to contain.
NOOR ALI, Geylang International coach, on Zulfahmi Arifin's influence.
Aside from his pinpoint deliveries yesterday, he was also a calming influence on the Hougang backline, playing in the centre of a five-man defence, before moving into a midfield role in the second half.
Hougang coach Clement Teo, however, felt his skipper did not play at his best.
"I've known Zul since he was 16 and this boy has got tremendous talent," he said. "But there were phases of the game where he should have done better."
Despite seeing his team leapfrog Tampines Rovers into second place before the Stags play Balestier Khalsa today, Teo believes his charges still have much room for improvement.
He said: "Credit to the players, they have shown they are able to play and fight for each other.
"But it's only the sixth game and the team have got a lot of potential. We need to take it one game at a time. We can't think that now we're already (second), we're doing good enough."
Also, unbeaten league leaders Brunei DPMM beat Warriors 4-2 at home to make it five wins in six.
Bottom club Huddersfield Town ended their eight-match losing streak in the Premier League with a goalless draw at fellow strugglers Cardiff City on Saturday.Cardiff, in 17th place, did not manage a shot on target and Huddersfield were left fuming over a decision from referee Lee Mason.
Cardiff City vs. Huddersfield Town - Football Match Report
Brandon Ingram had a team-high 20 points for the Lakers, who fell to 6-12 without James in their line-up. 2019, with the headline 'Players confront coach after James-less Lakers' loss'.
Players confront coach after James-less Lakers' loss
Newport County goalkeeper Joe Day made a quick exit from his side's FA Cup tie celebrations after learning his wife had gone into labour. League Two Newport set up an FA Cup tie against Manchester
Newport keeper Joe Day sprints off pitch after Middlesbrough
Neil Warnock says Emiliano Sala tragedy most difficult week of his career The light aircraft carrying Emiliano Sala disappeared over the English Channel a week ago as the 28-year-old flew to
Football: Warnock says Sala tragedy is most difficult week of
UK rescuers launch bid to recover body from Sala's plane. Mearns said his discovery of two seat cushions on the French coast last week revealed that the plane had broken up.
UK rescuers launch bid to recover body from Sala's plane
Hakeem Al Araibi (Reuters pic) DUBAI: FIFA says it has been in regular contact with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) over the Bahraini soccer player arrested in Thailand in November over a
Football: Fifa says it's in regular contact with AFC over
sportsloveme.com/soccer/football-fifa-says-its-in-regular-contact-with-afc-over-detained-bahraini-player/
Football: Fifa says it's in regular contact with AFC over detained Bahraini player 01/17/2019 FIFA , FOOTBALL MATCHES , HAKEEM DUBAI (REUTERS) - Fifa says it has been in regular contact with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) over the Bahraini footballer arrested in Thailand in November over a prison sentence in his homeland.
FIFA says in regular contact with AFC over detained refugee
Liverpool back above Man City at the top of the league beating Southampton with a late double strike player in Liverpool history to get to 50 Premier League goal. Friday night football
Southampton vs. Liverpool - Football Match Report - April 5
With the midfielder departure from Stamford Bridge, Chelsea FC will make move to sign a new midfielder to replace him. The Blues have been linked with Leandro Paredes and Nicolo Barella as a possible replacement. And we believe they will step up with the transfer and get it completed before the end of the January transfer window.
Super Rugby: Blues without rested All Blacks pair for crucial
In France, there will arguably be no bigger star on show than Marta. The Brazilian is widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time, and she still knows how to strike fear into the hearts of
The Standard - Kenya: CS Amina Mohamed surprises Harambee
Jan 22, 2019 · Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo was fined €18.8 million ($21.6 million) for tax fraud on Tuesday, Reuters reports. Specifically, prosecutors said, he dodged taxes in Spain between 2010
Ronaldo agrees to pay €19m fine to settle tax fraud case
FEST Camden hosted some of the best World Cup screenings in north London last summer, and now the organisers are hosting football fans for the Champions League final in its brand new venue Wonderfest.
UEFA Champions League Final - Live Screening at Tottenham
Ajax Amsterdam took a massive stride towards a first Champions League final for 23 years as Donny van de Beek's early goal earned a 1-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur in the first leg of their semi-final.
Football: Van de Beek gives Ajax edge over Spurs in semi
Manchester are United again: Players looking relaxed, fans dancing, and the goals and football are flowing under new manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Manchester United appeared to be together once
Man United all goals under ole solskjaer - YouTube
Solskjaer boosted by Mourinho's work, claims Van Gaal. Van Gaal's claims seem at odds with the more entertaining football played by United since Solskjaer started a reign that looks set to
Solskjaer boosted by Mourinho's work, claims Van Gaal | The
0 comments:
Post a Comment