Eagles end final home match with a resounding win

A brace from skipper Joshua Pereira highlighted a memorable evening for the loyal fans at Our Tampines Hub, as Geylang International defeated Young Lions 3-0 in their last home game of the Singapore Premier League season.

Though the visitors dominated early on, the Eagles patiently awaited their moment and were rewarded in the 40th minute when Pereira soared to meet Takahiro Tezuka’s exquisite corner kick, delivering a powerful header to open the score.

In the 58th minute, Gareth Low doubled the lead to 2-0 after a modest shot slipped past the Young Lions’ goalkeeper, Aizil Yazid, and rolled into the net.

After securing his season’s first goal on his 15th start, Joshua was hungry for more. He claimed his second in the 72nd minute, deftly firing a loose ball home with his left foot following a free-kick set-piece.

The pivotal win has kept the Eagles’ top-four hopes alive. However, the Tigers still maintain a three-point lead over the Eagles and have both a game in hand and a superior goal difference.

Head coach Noor Ali was pleased that his charges snapped a two-match winless run, which included heavy defeats to Albirex Niigata (6-1) and Balestier (6-2).

“After losing two games and conceding two goals, you need that morale-booster back and it’s nice to get a win and of course a clean sheet,” said Noor.

“It’s nice to see that the boys managed the game well throughout the entire match because at 2-0, it’s actually a dangerous scoreline because that’s when you can be complacent.”

Noor believes the door isn’t entirely closed yet, in case the top-four race extends until the final match day in the middle of next month.

Balestier can secure their fourth-place finish by earning just one more point from their remaining two fixtures. They will strive to achieve this today against champions Albirex.

“Balestier will take on Tampines, while we’re up against LCS. We’re all playing the top teams in the league, so definitely a good one to go out there and prove that we deserve the fourth position,” said Noor.

“It has been a roller-coaster season for us, but I’m proud of what my boys have done. We got three weeks to prepare for LCS, it’s not going to be easy but there’s still a mathematical chance for us, we will still try.”