A goal in each half hands Cheetahs full points as they climb to second in the standings

By Goal.com

Photo: Great Eastern Yeo's facebook

HGFC 2 
Jordan Webb 7', Ignatius Ang 78'
GUFC 0

Fast off their blocks, the Cheetahs threatened their visitors just inside the first minute when midfielder Ante Barac slid Jordan Webb through but the latter’s shot failed to hit the target.

It was not long before Hougang’s dominance in the early stages of the game paid off. In the 7thminute, Azhar Sairudin picked out the lively Webb with a cross-field pass and the winger received the ball skilfully, before swiftly cutting inside onto his right foot and curling a shot past the hapless Yazid Yasin into the top corner. Hougang continued to dominate possession but failed to capitalise on their chances. Ante Barac shot just wide from the edge of the box, two minutes after the opener.

The hosts threatened again minutes later when Basit Hamid's cross met Webb, who delicately laid-off the ball for Mamadou Diallo, but the latter anticipated the pass too early, and the ball dropped slightly behind him.

The first shot for Geylang United came only in the 14th minute when Hasan Aziz sent a low drive just wide of Ridzuan Hasan’s post.

Just a few minutes later, Rizawan Abdullah capitalised on a defensive mix up to head in on goal but he drilled his shot wide.

Another glorious chance was spurned by the home team before the whistle for the half-time break when Basit went for the shot when he could have squared the ball to an unmarked Diallo who was visibly disgruntled with his team-mate’s selfishness.

Unlike the first-half, where Hougang were superior, both in terms of possession and creating chances, the second-half was more even.

But with a second goal looking elusive, Hougang brought on forward Ignatius Ang and he almost settled the fan’s nerves instantly. A cross evaded all the defenders to fall to his feet, however, his shot was too direct and easily saved by Yazid.

The hosts continued creating plenty of chances, especially on the counter, but they were either denied by Yazid, or their own profligacy in front of goal.

The introduction of Ang and Fazli Jaffar by coach Nenad Bacina proved to be a masterstroke when in the 78th minute, Fazli delivered an inch-perfect cross that Ang headed home, much to the delight of the home fans.

The final chance fell to the home team a minute into injury time but the effervescent Webb’s volley was acrobatically saved by Yazid.

The win sees Hougang United climb to second in the table while Geylang United are still looking to break their points duck after two matches.