Eagles march to victory with dominant 3-0 win over the Tigers

Geylang International returned to their winning ways with a 3-0 win over Balestier Khalsa, thanks to a brace by Croatian hotshot Sime Zuzul and debutant Ariffin Noor at Our Tampines Hub (OTH) on Sunday.

With their seventh victory this season, the Eagles are now two points behind third placed Tanjong Pagar United with seven games remaining in the AIA Singapore Premier League.

The Eagles enjoyed the major share of possession in the first half and came close to taking the lead as early as the 11th minute when Sime Zuzul broke clear of the Tigers’ defence only to fire his shot well wide of the open goal.

A pass by Ilhan Noor to Vincent Bezecourt near the goal line in the 25th minute almost saw Geylang International draw first blood. However, the Frenchman’s attempt at goal was well blocked by Hairul Syirhan.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 37th minute when Sime Zuzul scored his 13th goal of the season and in his eighth straight game from the penalty spot after Hazzuwan Halim was brought down by Hairul Syirhan in the box.

The Eagles could have headed into the break with a two-goal advantage in the dying minutes of the first half had Hazzuwan Halim’s shot not flown agonisingly off the bar.

Zuzul continued to terrorise the Tiger’s defence and was duly rewarded in the 79th minute when he nodded in his 14th goal of the season with a text box-style header off a cross by Bezecourt.

Ariffin then made it an evening to remember not only for the passionate home fans but also himself when he headed in the Eagles’ third goal off Fareez Farhan’s corner in stoppage time

Head Coach Noor Ali, who was presented with his Coach of the Month award for July before kick-off, said: “It was a well-deserved victory as you could see the boys fought really hard for every ball.  

Zuzul was clinical in front of goal and I’m pleased to see Ariffin get into the scoresheet in his debut.

But having said that, it has been a solid team effort which I’m really proud of.”