Match Report: Tampines 3:1 Hougang

Wednesday, Aug 10th, 2011

2000hrs, Tampines Stadium

                

   Tampines Rovers    3 : 1    Hougang United  
    Ahmad Latiff  (8')                        Jordan Webb (63')
Aleksandar Duric (45')                                                       
Jamil Ali (68')                                  
                                                            

                                              

Match Attendance: 987

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Hougang United falls to their 3rd consecutive lost in 3 weeks to a resilient Tampines Rovers side, and Cheetahs consolation will be to look forward to entertaining Okkthar United in the Singapore Cup which will be played at their home ground.

The Stags opened the scoring with only 7 minutes to the kick-off. Ahmad Latiff's pace got the better of the Hougang United's defenders and he ledge on a pass from midfield to find space on the left edge of the penalty box; and the pacy winger slotted one past Fadhil Salim for the opener.

The Cheetahs were not to be outmatched and they found their equalizer through yet another individual brilliance of Jordan Webb. The Canadian and his trademark runs down the wings, exposed the Stags defence as he weaved past his marker to fire a low shot into the right back of the net. This is his 13 goal of the season. :)

However, the equalizer was short lived and Tampines Rovers rallied themselves to push their lead to 2-1 just before the half time whistle blew for the break.

Again the pace of Ahmad Latiff causing havoc in the Issac Lau's department and the petite winger managed to get past byline and cut in a cross.

Aleksandar Duric displayed composure as he collected the pass to tap in the second for the Stags.

2-1 at the Tampines Stadium at the break.

Sub for Fadhil Salim and Ridzuan Fatah took on the job between the post.

Hougang United did more restructuring and brought in Noor Ali in place of Sobrie Mazelan who was playing the the fre role just behind Argentinian striker Vitor Borges.

His comptriate Carlos 'Carlito' Delgado had a chance to increase in scoring account when his long range effort narrowly missed the the cross bar but for the most part was pretty much a subdued figure in the center of the pitch, as Stags swam towards him each time he touched the ball.

By the remaining quater, Tampines Rovers began to trot the pace of game to their tune. And they stretched their lead to 3-1.

Duric this time the provider, timed his run perfectly to stay on side with Hougang backline and he found the feet of wondering Jamil Ali who tapped in from close range and the final goal of the night.

"We didn’t take our chances like Tampines did, and that cost us the game,” he (Aide) admitted.

“Sobrie did very well and we scored a good goal through Jordan Webb, but we could not do more.

“The second and third goals shouldn’t have been conceded, as they were soft goals, to be honest.

“We missed (captain) Shariff (Abdul Samat) , that’s for sure. But Ratna and Shahril tried their best" -(SOURCE)

Painful as it maybe for a Cheetahs fan, the boisterous entourage of the Hougang HOOLs did provide some comic relief in the form of their taunting the StagMania fans in the opposite side of the terrace.

And Tampines fans are one noisy bunch. Ha ha. Glad they traded 'punches' if not the HOOls will be singing 'Just like a library' the entire night.

I hope the Tampines fans understand the importance of vocal support for their team, and may the bantering spirit continue to spread for the better of the future. :) :)

"WE ARE HOUGANG UNITED!
HOUGANG UNITED FC!
WE'RE BY FAR THE GREATEST TEAM!
THE S-LEAGUE HAS EVER SEEN!"