Cheetahs seal progress to quarter-finals

By Goal.com
Muhd Khalis Rifhan

Photo: Great Eastern Yeo's S-League

CYL 1
Hafiz Abu Sujad 90'

HGFC 2
Diallo Mamadou 6', Azhar Sairudin 84'

After suffering a defeat against Home United in their group C opener, only a victory could ensure progress to the quarter-finals for Court Young Lions.

But it was not to be their night as the visitors took all three points courtesy of a goal each from Mamadou Diallo and Azhar Sairudin.

The Cubs had a disastrous start in their final group game against Hougang United at the Jalan Besar stadium, giving away an unnecessary freekick in the sixth minute of the game allowing the Cheetahs to grap the opener.

Ante Barac sent in a harmless ball to the penalty box and Syazwan Buhari completely misjudged the flight of the cross. Diallo took full advantage of the situation as he headed it into the net to give his team the lead.

Barac almost added a second eight minutes later but his shot from twenty yards out flew inches off the bar.

Two minutes later, Diallo sent a screamer of a shot from the edge of the box and it forced an acrobatic save from Syazwan in goal for the Young Lions.

Young Lions was kept in their own half for most of the first half as they were unable to venture beyond the commanding Barac in the central of midfield for the Cheetahs.

Hougang would add a second six minutes from time to seal all three points and prolong their journey in the League Cup.

Barac, from a freekick near the corner flag, cleverly played the ball to the middle and from twenty five yards out, Azhar Sairudin unleashed an unstoppable shot to the back of the net.

Young Lions captain, Hafiz would grab a consolation goal in the dying seconds of the game, but it was too little too late as the score would remain until the final whistle.

With the defeat, Courts Young Lions would now play in a newly introduced Plate competition for the bottom placed team in the groups. (SOURCE)