Eagles left frustrated after 4-2 loss to Hougang United
The Eagles surrendered a two-goal advantage and were left frustrated after they lost to Hougang United for the second time this season in a 4-2 defeat at Our Tampines Hub on Sunday evening.
Geylang International were two goals ahead after goals from Umar Akhbar and Faizal Roslan in the 10th and 36th minute respectively. However, three goals from set pieces and a close tap-in by Hougang United saw the Cheetahs come from behind to snatch all three points.
It went according to the script for Geylang International as early as the sixth minute when Umar Akhbar slammed home the ball after receiving a cross from Ilhan Noor on the right flank.
Four minutes later, Hougang almost found an immediate response when Sahil Suhaimi’s neatly struck free kick hit the post before falling onto the path of Shawal Anuar whose shot was well saved off the line by Rio Sakuma.
The Eagles appeared to be cruising after Faizal Roslan doubled Geylang International’s lead when he stuck out a foot to divert Vincent Bezecourt’s low shot past Mukundan Maran.
The Cheetahs then staged their comeback when Pedro Bortoluzo pulled a goal back in the closing minutes of the first half with his header off a corner from the right. They were soon back on level terms after another corner in the 62nd minute allowed Andre Moritz to stab the ball into goal.
Shawal then captialised on a defensive mix-up inside the six-yard box to put the Cheetahs ahead with five minutes remaining in regulation time before Kristijan Krajcek completed a miserable evening for the Eagles by squeezing his shot into the back of the net in stoppage time.
Geylang International Head Coach Noor Ali said: “It was a second half to forget as we were left to pay the price for our mistakes. It’s a tough defeat to swallow but we will bounce back and come back stronger in our last four games.”
The Eagles remain in fourth place on 33 points with four games remaining. They are level on points with Tanjong Pagar but enjoy a superior goal difference.
Ends.