Monday, April 18th, 2011
1930hrs, Hougang Stadium
Hougang United 1 : 0 Albirex Niigata
Ratna Suffian (84')
Syaqir Sulaiman (74')  |
| Pandemonium on the 84th minute goal |
A late goal by Ratna Suffian secured an awesome 1-0 win against Albirex Niigata and wrapped up the show with 3 points going to the home side.
The White Swans started the evening with their usual authority in the center of the pitch and dominated most the the early proceedings of the game.
Hougang's attacking width seemed lacking in prowess against a side with similar attacking styles. Winger Noor Ali who started in the line up for suspended Fadzly Jaffar; found his forward charges overwhelmed by defenders from time to time.
An even stalemate at half time. 0-0
Albirex began to up the tempo from the start of the second half. Japanese striker Yosuke Saito almost got himself on the score sheet when his shot deflected off a defender into the direction of goal only to have Fahdil Salim brilliantly tip the ball over the crossbar.
At the 3rd quarter mark, a shock decision by the referee saw Syaqir Suliman received his second yellow card for the evening; and delivered the defender his marching orders. Hougang United down to 10 men.
But despair was soon to be erased as Hougang United finally scored their deserving goal from a freekick six minutes from time. Carlos Delgado swerved the ball into the six yard box to connect Ratna for the win. The centerback soared above a sea of defenders and launched a powerful header into the top corner of the net.
Man of the match has to be keeper Fahdil Salim for his excellent performance and keeping a clean sheet for the Cheetahs.
Hougang coach Aide Iskandar had high praise for his custodian.
“For me, he was top class today, he was everywhere!” gushed the 36-year-old.
“I think he made about five saves which kept us in the game. That gave a lot of confidence to the defence.” - SLeague
A great win to cure Monday blues! Go Cheetahs Go!
PHOTO: Gale
| Team | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tampines Rovers FC | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 20 | 7 | 13 | 23 |
| Singapore Armed Forces FC | 9 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 5 | 11 | 21 |
| Etoile FC | 9 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 6 | 8 | 19 |
| Home United FC | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 20 | 6 | 14 | 17 |
| Albirex Niigata FC (S) | 10 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 16 | 7 | 9 | 16 |
| Hougang United FC | 10 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 12 | 20 | -8 | 13 |
| Gombak United FC | 8 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 7 | -1 | 11 |
| Balestier Khalsa FC | 9 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 0 | 10 |
| Geylang United FC | 9 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 11 | 16 | -5 | 10 |
| Courts Young Lions | 7 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 11 | -8 | 5 |
| Woodlands Wellington FC | 8 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 16 | -12 | 2 |
| Tanjong Pagar United FC | 9 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 23 | -21 | 2 |
Next Fixture
Monday, April 25th, 2011
1930hrs, Clementi Stadium
Tanjong Pagar United vs Hougang United
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