Resurgent Eagles continue to soar

Geylang International continued their resurgence with a 2-0 win over Young Lions at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Friday.

The Eagles’ first win over the Young Lions this season moved them to equal on points (16) with Hougang United, who have two games in hand and a better goal difference. They remain in sixth place in the AIA Singapore Premier League.

 The Eagles were dominant in the first half but could not put away their chances in the opening 45 minutes. Vincent Bezecourt first tested Dylan Pereira with a fierce drive which was well saved by the Young Lions goalkeeper in the ninth minute.

The Frenchman then threatened again five minutes later after being put through goal by Sime Zuzul only to see his shot skimmed agonisingly past the far right post.

Hazzuwan Halim then thought he had put Geylang International ahead in the 18th minute. 

A free-kick from Bezecourt on the right flank was floated into the box towards Hazzuwan by Tajeli Salamat. The forward ran into space to head the ball into the goal only for his efforts to be adjudged for offside.

The Eagles’ next best chance in the opening 45 minutes came seven minutes before the break when Zuzul blasted a shot off the left flank which Pereira could only palm away from the goal line. A mad scramble inside the six-yard box then saw the ball fall to Hazzuwan, who fired his shot over the bar.

The breakthrough for Geylang International finally came in the 70th minute when Bezecourt was fouled inside the box by Shah Shahiran. Zuzul stepped up to take the penalty and made no mistake firing the ball into the back of the net for his seventh goal of the season.

Tajeli then ensured all three points for the Eagles when he beat Pereira at his near post in the dying minutes of the match.

Geylang International Head Coach Noor Ali said: “We know Young Lions is not going to be an easy team to beat. We have lost once and drawn once against them. So, tonight’s win was especially pleasing. The boys showed lots of character and they fully deserved credit for this win.”