Story by Koh Yizhe/Red Sports. Photos by Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports.
Geylang United – RHB Cup Champions! (Photo 1 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Jalan Besar Stadium, Sunday, November 8, 2009 – Hafiz Rahim's goal in the 82nd minute and Yazid Yasin's penalty save four minutes later gave Geylang United Football Club the 2009 Singapore Cup with a slim 1-0 win over Thailand's Bangkok Glass Football Club.
Bangkok Glass dominated possession throughout the match, forcing one fantastic save after another from Yazid Yasin, but Hafiz Rahim's goal following a goal-mouth scramble in the 82nd minute gave Geylang United the lead.
Bangkok Glass had the perfect opportunity to equalise four minutes later when they were given a penalty, but Yazid Yasin came to Geylang's rescue once again as he kept Supachai Komsilp’s weak shot out. Geylang then held on for the victory and the Singapore Cup.
This is the first time Geylang United have won the Singapore Cup after being losing finalists in 2001 and 2003.
Masrezwan Masturi (Geylang United, #7) tries to gain control of a loose ball with his head. (Photo 1 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Bangkok Glass goalkeeper Klisana Klunkin (#18) fails to grab hold of a corner… (Photo 2 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
… only to deflect it into the path of Geylang United skipper Noor Ali who promptly took a shot. He was shot saved… (Photo 3 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
… only to have it bounce back and forth. Substitute Hafiz Rahim found the ball at his feet subsequently… (Photo 4 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
… to slot in Geylang’s first and only goal of the night. (Photo 5 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Geylang United goalkeeper Yazid Yasin (#18) saves a crucial penalty to prevent Bangkok Glass from equalising. (Photo 6 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Miroslav Latiak (Geylang United, #9) charges towards the goal. (Photo 7 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Masrezawan Masturi and Rungroch Sawangsri (Bangkok Glass, #8) tussle for a ball. (Photo 8 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Miroslav Latiak and Peeraphong Pichitchotirat (Bangkok Glass, #23) go for a mid-air challenge. (Photo 9 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
A Bangkok Glass player jumps to avoid Jonathan Xu’s (Geylang United, #13) tackle. (Photo 10 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Miroslav Latiak looses possession of the ball amid the tight defending by his opponents. (Photo 11 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Masnashzreen Masturi (Geylang United, #46) shys away as his opponent tries to clear a ball. (Photo 12 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
As full time drew near, the game became increasingly intense, with players from both sides going for rough challenges… (Photo 13 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
… leading to confrontations by both sides on a few occasions. (Photo 14 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Peeraphong Pichichotirat raises his hands in innocence after bringing down Noor Ali. (Photo 15 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Rastislav Belicak (Geylang United, #3) prepares to counter Gbenga Ajayi’s (Bangkok Glass, #9) attack. (Photo 16 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
As the final whistle sounded, the Geylang United team erupted into celebration… (Photo 17 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
… as they keep the Singapore Cup on home soil. (Photo 18 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Geylang United – Singapore Cup champions! (Photo 19 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)
Happy to see Lim Tong Hai back in the limelight
Congratz to the Eagles. Well Done!!