(from hufc.com.sg)
The PROTECTORS lost their first half lead in a lacklustre second half performance.
Home United and Gombak fought out a tense 1-1 draw at the Jalan Besar ground on Friday night. With this result, both teams remained unbeaten at this neutral venue, although the Protectors missed a glorious opportunity to extend their four-point advantage over Tampines, with the Rovers having a game in hand.
Qiu Li went into the starting XI ahead of Kone, where he was to get no chance out of the stern Gombak defence. Meanwhile, the Bulls had Winston Yap out altogether, as the three-pronged attack of Kingsley Njoku, Gabriel Obatola and Agu Casmir started. Agu though had a major say in the outcome of the match very late on.
The first half was typical of the defences of both teams, where possession is carefully kept and space was at premium. Gombak tried to impose themselves on the game with their mean and physical brand of football, with some effect. Nonetheless, Indra had the first chance to open the scoring, as he half-volleyed wide of the goal after a neat interchange of passes fell to him. Shahril Alias had to keep himself alert all night, as he denied Kingsley with a strong tackle. In the meantime, Rosman zipped down the right on the overlap, where he would proceed to do so all night, alas there were no one to be on the receiving end of his crosses.
On 28 minutes, Theerawesin, Gombak’s Thai playmaker fell on his backside as Indra won the ball from him. He had the right idea of playing it through first time to Ludovick, who needed no second invitation to blast the ball past a diving Zaiful Nizam. The no.10 hit his shot unerringly, beneath the legs of Obadin Aikhena, and it bulged straight into the net.
As half time loomed, Diakite had a good chance to extend the lead, however, he placed his shot wide after good work by Qiu Li. Undeterred, Obatola struck from outside the box, which forced an important save out of Lionel. Precious was immense in the heart of the defence for the visitors, as they sought to prevent being overrun like the March 19 fixture where they lost 4-0.
The second half began with a similar pattern of play to that of the first period. Qiu Li was one of the players to had an off-night, as his rising shot went well over. Gombak coach Salim Moin had by then brought on Ruhaizad for the injured Obatola, who posed a threat down the right; meanwhile Agu’s effort forced a brilliant save out of Lionel as he turned and shot. Still the Bulls could make no breakthrough, as the Protectors held firm. Qiu Li was rather unfortunate to go off on 55 minutes, and as Swee Swee replaced him, the disappointment on his face showed.
Then came a series of good moves that could have nudged Home in front; Zaiful the Bulls keeper had to be alert to deny Ludovick from making something meaningful out of the through ball on 74 minutes. More pressure was piled on as the striker hit an effort, but could not get the ball past a resolute Zaiful.
Disaster struck on 79 minutes, as Agu jostled for and won the ball down the right, he went on to put the ball past a hapless Lionel to restore parity. Slack marking did the damage. Cue the wild celebrations from the Gombak fans, with scenes not too unfamiliar to their victory over SAFFC. Lionel’s fumble nearly let in Agu once more, but he recovered well. Perhaps the tiredness of the players told, as no one chased Kone’s cross after good work from him down the left. Indra’s attempt on goal went wide of the post late on.
The match ended with a share of the spoils, as the man-of-match went to our own Shahril Alias. Salim, the Gombak coach was pleased with the result, as he made glowing reviews of Agu’s performance. On the other hand, first and foremost on Vincent’s thoughts would be the encounter against Woodlands on Monday, where thankfully all players manage to come through relatively unscathed.
Home United and Gombak fought out a tense 1-1 draw at the Jalan Besar ground on Friday night. With this result, both teams remained unbeaten at this neutral venue, although the Protectors missed a glorious opportunity to extend their four-point advantage over Tampines, with the Rovers having a game in hand.
Qiu Li went into the starting XI ahead of Kone, where he was to get no chance out of the stern Gombak defence. Meanwhile, the Bulls had Winston Yap out altogether, as the three-pronged attack of Kingsley Njoku, Gabriel Obatola and Agu Casmir started. Agu though had a major say in the outcome of the match very late on.
The first half was typical of the defences of both teams, where possession is carefully kept and space was at premium. Gombak tried to impose themselves on the game with their mean and physical brand of football, with some effect. Nonetheless, Indra had the first chance to open the scoring, as he half-volleyed wide of the goal after a neat interchange of passes fell to him. Shahril Alias had to keep himself alert all night, as he denied Kingsley with a strong tackle. In the meantime, Rosman zipped down the right on the overlap, where he would proceed to do so all night, alas there were no one to be on the receiving end of his crosses.
On 28 minutes, Theerawesin, Gombak’s Thai playmaker fell on his backside as Indra won the ball from him. He had the right idea of playing it through first time to Ludovick, who needed no second invitation to blast the ball past a diving Zaiful Nizam. The no.10 hit his shot unerringly, beneath the legs of Obadin Aikhena, and it bulged straight into the net.
As half time loomed, Diakite had a good chance to extend the lead, however, he placed his shot wide after good work by Qiu Li. Undeterred, Obatola struck from outside the box, which forced an important save out of Lionel. Precious was immense in the heart of the defence for the visitors, as they sought to prevent being overrun like the March 19 fixture where they lost 4-0.
The second half began with a similar pattern of play to that of the first period. Qiu Li was one of the players to had an off-night, as his rising shot went well over. Gombak coach Salim Moin had by then brought on Ruhaizad for the injured Obatola, who posed a threat down the right; meanwhile Agu’s effort forced a brilliant save out of Lionel as he turned and shot. Still the Bulls could make no breakthrough, as the Protectors held firm. Qiu Li was rather unfortunate to go off on 55 minutes, and as Swee Swee replaced him, the disappointment on his face showed.
Then came a series of good moves that could have nudged Home in front; Zaiful the Bulls keeper had to be alert to deny Ludovick from making something meaningful out of the through ball on 74 minutes. More pressure was piled on as the striker hit an effort, but could not get the ball past a resolute Zaiful.
Disaster struck on 79 minutes, as Agu jostled for and won the ball down the right, he went on to put the ball past a hapless Lionel to restore parity. Slack marking did the damage. Cue the wild celebrations from the Gombak fans, with scenes not too unfamiliar to their victory over SAFFC. Lionel’s fumble nearly let in Agu once more, but he recovered well. Perhaps the tiredness of the players told, as no one chased Kone’s cross after good work from him down the left. Indra’s attempt on goal went wide of the post late on.
The match ended with a share of the spoils, as the man-of-match went to our own Shahril Alias. Salim, the Gombak coach was pleased with the result, as he made glowing reviews of Agu’s performance. On the other hand, first and foremost on Vincent’s thoughts would be the encounter against Woodlands on Monday, where thankfully all players manage to come through relatively unscathed.
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