The Write Space: [S League] Protectors stand firm against Eagles in late comeback

By Janet Chia

(original submission to ntuc usports and voxsports)

Protectors warming up at ease with home ground advantage

The kick-off between Home United and Geylang International on 4^th July 2013 at 7:30pm in Bishan stadium saw home team, current 4^th placed Protectors into their 16^th game, and Away team, current 9^th placed Eagles into their 15^th game in the league.

The Protectors displayed dominant play right from the start, pressurising their guests with an early attempt at goal just 4 minutes into the game. However, Kwon Da Kyung's header proved to be of no threat as it heads straight at Geylang's goalkeeper Takuma Ito.

The match's first substitution was called on by the Eagles as Fabian Kwok went down with injury, and was substituted by Shotara Ihata at the 18^th minute mark. Just one minute after the substitution, Ito was once again challenged as the Protectors misses their second attempt at goal with Lee Kwan Woo sending a 35-yard freekick over the bar.

The Eagles then turned the table around when they came close to scoring at the 20^th minute. Geylang's Yasir Hanapi attempt to convert Jalal's cross was terminated as Protectors' goalkeeper Shahril Jantan puts up a great save. The Eagles then rode on the momentum and delivered a second attempt at goal by Shotaro Ihata at the 21^st minute, which was skillfully saved again by Shahril.

In a late challenge by Sirina Camara, the night's first yellow card was issued to the Protectors' defender. In the 33^rd minute, Khayrulhayat Jumat was also booked with the team's first yellow of the night as he concedes a freekick on the right edge of the area.

The freekick taken by Camara was deflected by the wall and the Eagles took the opportunity to soar as Yasir advanced with the ball and created space for captain Jozef Kaplan to score the opening goal at 34^th minute. With two minutes of time added on, the first half saw Geylang taking the lead at 0-1.

With concurrent game going on between 3^rd placed Tanjong Pagar and 10^th placed Hougang at Queenstown stadium, which saw Tanjong Pagar taking the lead with 1-0 at half time, a Protectors' win in this game is crucial in order to keep in contention for the league's top spot.

At half time, Protectors' Hafiz Rahim was substituted by Indra Sahdan as the home team powers up for better play at second half. Eight minutes into the second half, Indra misses the chance for an equaliser after a loose ball drops to him in the box as his powerful shot lacked accuracy.

Geylang took an attempt at goal as Wahyudi Wahid hits a long one from 25 yards at 58^th minute.

At the 61^st minute, Ismail Yunos was awarded the yellow card for an apparent dive against Eagles in the box which seemed controversial. Atmosphere heats up for Protectors' coach Lee Lim Saeng as frustration is shown on the home team's touchline. 65 minutes into the game, the team still struggled to put in their equaliser goal as Lee Kwan Woo swings in a freekick which saw Camara losing the header, and the goal attempt was eventually stopped as the ball bounces off Ito's left leg.

The golden opportunity came for the Protectors at the 75^th minute as Song Ui Yong got tripped in the box and was awarded a penalty. Lee took no chance at it and fired a perfect low shot into Ito's right corner, scoring the equaliser.

More substitutions were called on after the equaliser as both teams leverage their attempt to put in their winning goal. Protectors called captain Noh Rahman off the pitch to be replaced by Syahiran Mizwan, and Eagles replaced Yasir with Andrew Tan.

The winning goal came at the 79^th minute as unmarked Kwon met Camara's header and headed a looping ball over Ito, right into the goal post, bring the score up for the Protectors at 2-1.

At 80^th minute, Kaplan was booked for bundling over a player.

The last ten minutes of the game saw the Protectors standing firm on home ground, going defensive to hold onto their points to secure the win.

However, the Eagles kept their drive and attempted another goal at the 87^th minute as Andrew Tan's cross was met by Norihiro Kawakami's header. Unfortunately the ball was headed against the post.

An additional four minutes were added to the clock at the end of second half with the Protectors leading at 2-1. Just one minute before the final whistle was blown, Kaplan made a fine header which was saved by Shahril.

The final score stood at 2-1 as Protectors stepped up on the game in the second half, with Lee and Kwon scoring the two goals within three minutes in succession after Eagles led the first half with an opening goal by captain Kaplan.

In the after match interview, Geylang International's coach, Kanan Vedhamuthu commended the excellent display by his entire team whom he thought were fearless against the Protectors who have much more experienced players. In the games to follow, coach Kanan commented that they had fought hard with good teamwork, just that the results failed to show against the Protectors, and “we can only get better”.

Home United and Geylang International's position in the league table remains unchanged after conclusion of this game.