Thursday, June 30th, 2011
1930hrs, Hougang Stadium
Hougang United 3 : 2 Gombak United
Jordan Webb (52') Ruhaizad Ismail (14')
Sobrie Mazelan (79') Park Kang Jin (33')
Jordan Webb (90') Walid Lounis (72')
Match Attendance: 1197
Hougang United pulls off one of the best S-league comebacks to date and snatches 3 points in injury time against a tough Gombak United. To many fans, trailing 0-2 at half time made your stomach sick but spectators were soon taught a lesson on self belief.
Gombak United stunned the hosts in the 14th minute when midfielder Ruhaizad Ismail broke past the Cheetahs left back to cheekily lop the ball over reserve keeper Ameerul Shafiq to open the scoring.
Ten minutes before the break, Hougang United were silenced again. This time Korean front man of Park Kang Jin sealed the first half with an individual effort. The striker closed in on the goal mouth after connecting a past from the midfield and calmly slot the shot past the hapless keeper.
Ten minutes before the break, Hougang United were silenced again. This time Korean front man of Park Kang Jin sealed the first half with an individual effort. The striker closed in on the goal mouth after connecting a past from the midfield and calmly slot the shot past the hapless keeper.
Hougang back paddling 0-2 at the break.
Don't know what Aide Iskandar said to the boys in the locker room but his words certainly turned things around.
The catch up begins with a freekick taken by Carlos Delgado. The Argentinian whipped in a swerving cross and after some untidy defensing, the loose ball found the feet of Jordan Webb who made no mistake from close range. Hougang closed the gap to 1-2 on the 52nd minute.
From that on, Hougang United were on the get go. Azhar Sairudin mustered a shot from 30 yards but his efforts only found row Z.
The fate of the game soon tilted Hougang's way, as Gombak's Walid Lounis was sent off for his second booking after a clumsy tackle on Carlos Delgado.
With an extra man, the Cheetah's poured themselves into the Gombak half as they scoured for the equalizing goal. And the reward came from the brilliance of substitution mid fielder Sobrie Mazelan.
With an extra man, the Cheetah's poured themselves into the Gombak half as they scoured for the equalizing goal. And the reward came from the brilliance of substitution mid fielder Sobrie Mazelan.
He fired his shot into the top right corner to level the game at 2-2.
Hougang United continued to pile on the pressure as Jordan Webb mazy runs along the right channel earn the Cheetahs a corner. Carlos Delgado sents in the corner kick but Noor Ali but fails to conect with the header.
New commer Vitor Borges seems to have redefined the shape of attack Hougang United has been lacking; as he collects long balls and shields it with his body while attacking players charge up the Gombak field.
On the 80th minute, the Brazilian almost opened his account when he found space at the edge of the penalty box but as he was about to turn and shoot defenders blocked his shot.
Payback came in the dying minutes of injury time.
3-2 it was! And it was none other than the quick footed Jordan Webb who from the six yard box hammered in the final nail that sealed the evening. 11 goals for the Canadian this season. Outstanding! *Applause*
New commer Vitor Borges seems to have redefined the shape of attack Hougang United has been lacking; as he collects long balls and shields it with his body while attacking players charge up the Gombak field.
On the 80th minute, the Brazilian almost opened his account when he found space at the edge of the penalty box but as he was about to turn and shoot defenders blocked his shot.
Payback came in the dying minutes of injury time.
3-2 it was! And it was none other than the quick footed Jordan Webb who from the six yard box hammered in the final nail that sealed the evening. 11 goals for the Canadian this season. Outstanding! *Applause*
Hougang Utd's coach Aide Iskandar:"It's a huge morale boaster for us, for having to come from behind and collect all three points is very important to us." - Source
Side note: If it wasn't for the 5 points deduction, Hougang United would have been seating at 5th or 6th with 28 points. But hey, it has been a fantastic season of change for the Cheetahs and serves as a catalyst to relight the S-league fire in Singapore.
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