Eagles and Stag share spoils in final day derby

Geylang International and Tampines Rovers played out a dramatic 1-1 draw in their last match of the 2021 Singapore Premier League season at Our Tampines Hub (OTH) on Sunday.

It was a cagey affair in the first 45 minutes with little to separate both sides in the Eastern Derby. Amy Recha came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 43rd minute, but a top drawer save from Syazwan Buhari denied the Eagles from going ahead at the break.

Barely three minutes after the restart, the Eagles could have been in front had Matheus Moresche not missed a sitter after Amy had delivered a fine cross from the right flank. 

The second half sparked to life when Taufik Suparno hit the woodwork in the 60th min for the Stags. It was a similar tale for Geylang International three minutes later when Amy also hit the bar after a well-worked cross from Moresche.

Taufik almost breached the Eagles’ defence again in the 71st minute, but Zaiful Nizam was equal to the task, palming the ball away for a corner. But it was from the resulting corner that the Stags managed to pull ahead. Taufik proved to be the nemesis for Geylang International again as his well-timed header found the back of the net.

The bar denied Geylang from drawing level with the Stags again as Moresche watched his shot bounce off the woodwork in the 85th min. Just as Tampines Rovers looked to have sealed all three points, Ryaan Sanizal was adjudged to have handled in the box right at the death.

Amy Recha made no mistake from the penalty spot as he smashed his shot past Syazwan for the Eagles to draw level. Geylang International then played out their final four minutes of stoppage time with 10 men after Abdil Qaiyyim was dismissed for a second bookable offence.

Geylang International Head Coach Noor Ali said: “I’m very proud of my boys as they showed great determination to end the season on a positive note. Things might not have gone our way this season, but I’m confident we’ll be back stronger next year.”

With its latest result, Geylang International ended its 2021 Singapore Premier League season in sixth place with 20 points.

Lineup: Zaiful Nizam, Ilhan Noor, Amy Recha, Barry Maguire, Matheus Moresche, Asshukrie Wahid (Christopher van Huizen 46), Firdaus Kasman (Fareez Farhan 74’), Azri Suhaili (Danny Kim 46), Yuki Ichikawa (C), Iqram Rifqi, Abdil Qaiyyim

Ends.