Hazzuwan secures stalemate for Eagles 

Tanjong Pagar United was denied all three points as a superb strike by Hazzuwan Halim in the second half ensured the Eagles would leave the Jurong East Stadium with a share of the spoils in the 1-1 draw on Saturday evening.

Geylang International started brightly by enjoying a greater share of the possession in the first half. It was, however, a scrappy affair in the first 20 minutes, with scoring chances a premium for both sides. 

Vincent Bezecourt had the chance as early as in the fifth minute to test Zharfan Pohaizad but saw his shot go over the bar. A free-kick by Takahiro Tezuka in the 26th minute was the closest the Eagles came to opening accounts then. But Tezuka’s attempt at goal was palmed away by Zharfan.

The Jaguars seemed to be headed into the break with the advantage after Reo Nishiguchi capitalised on a mistake by Hazzuwan, where he found himself with a clear shot at goal inside the six-yard box. 

However, he was denied by the brilliance of Zaiful Nizam as the skipper was equal to the task and pushed the shot away to safety.

The Eagles started the second half the same way they did in the first half by threatening the Jaguar’s defence menacingly again. However, an unfortunate bounce in the middle of the pitch, which Abdil Qaiyyim misjudged in the 62nd minute, gifted Nishiguchi with a goal-scoring opportunity. Nishiguchi pulled away from Abdil before sprinting ahead and firing the ball pass Zaiful for his fourth goal of the season.

Against the run of play in the 74th minute, the Eagles managed to find their way back into the game when Fareez Farhan ran the length of the pitch before passing the ball to Hazzuwan on the far right. Hazzuwan would make no mistake with his opening goal for the Eagles by firing the ball which went into the net off the post for the equaliser. 

Both teams went in search for the winner with a quarter of the match remaining but eventually played out a draw to leave the Eagles in fifth place in the league table after three games.

Geylang International Head Coach Noor Ali said: “I’m very proud of my boys tonight. They never gave up despite conceding the first goal. The composure Hazzuwan showed with his goal is also a reflection of the team spirit tonight. They did not panic and were ready to fight on until the final whistle.”

Tanjong Pagar United remains unbeaten this season and stays atop the league table with eight points after four games.