SAFFC move up to 5th after narrow victory over Sengkang Punggol in S.League football

By Kenneth Tan/Red Sports

Hougang Stadium, Tuesday, June 8, 2010 — Reigning S.League champions Singapore Armed Forces FC (SAFFC) kept their flailing title hopes alive after a narrow 1-0 away win over cellar dwellers Sengkang Punggol.

Although the Warriors dominated majority of the match, they failed to put their chances away and had to settle for a one-goal victory.

Both sides were active during the June transfer window and paraded their new signings in this match. Sengkang Punggol started new Korean midfielder An Jae Cheul while SAFFC did the same for new Croatian midfielder Ivan Jerkovic, who plied his trade for Brunei DPMM last season.

Sengkang Punggol lined up in a 4-4-1-1 formation with An Jae Cheul playing just behind Canadian forward Ryan Fante while SAFFC lined up in a traditional 4-4-2 with Ahmad Latiff and Indra Sahdan leading the line.

The first 45 minutes belonged to SAFFC as they piled forward in attack with full back Hafiz Osman linking up well with winger Mustaqim Manzur on the right flank.

Hafiz fired over the bar on 8 minutes after an intelligent one-two with Mustaqim before centre back Ivan Lovric headed wide from a Taisuke Akiyoshi free kick five minutes later.

Taisuke tested Sengkang keeper Fadhil Salim for the first time on 14 minutes when his shot towards the bottom right corner was tipped wide by the latter.

New signing Ivan Jerkovic also fizzed two long range efforts over the bar thereafter.

Sengkang toiled hard to create their first real opportunity on 40 minutes when Ryan Fante swiveled just outside the box before setting up An Jae Cheul who fired just wide of the right hand post.

The first 15 minutes of the second half saw the Warriors wasting two gilt-edged opportunities to pull further ahead. Hafiz Osman and Mustaqim Manzur both fired the ball over the bar from just three yards out from goal.

That gave Sengkang some renewed confidence as they began to get their passing movement together. On 59 minutes, Ryan Fante held the ball up well on the left flank before teeing up defensive midfielder Abdoulaye Diallo outside the box but the latter’s effort went wide of the left hand post.

Four minutes later, captain Nor Azli Yusoff flicked the ball into the path of Fante who in turn spread it to winger Jalal on the right flank. Jalal’s cross-shot was well palmed wide by SAFFC keeper Shahril Jantan.

SAFFC hit back through Indra Sahdan who turned Sengkang centre back Shahir Hamzah on his blind side before having his angled shot saved by Fadhil Salim on 63 minutes.

Two minutes later, they finally managed to break the deadlock. Mustaqim Manzur ran down the left flank before crossing into the box. The cross managed to pick out Japanese winger Taisuke Akiyoshi who dispatched a neat sidefoot volley into the bottom left corner, leaving Fadhil rooted to the spot.

Sengkang coach Aide Iskandar decided to change things around on the 70th minute mark by putting on forward Farizal Basri for full back Jasper Seet. That substitution nearly reaped instant dividends when Farizal nearly scored with his first touch.

He got his head to connect with a Sobrie Mazelan cross from the right just in front of goal, however Shahril Jantan did fantastically well to tip it onto the crossbar.

Sengkang keeper Fadhil Salim kept the score down by saving another couple of efforts and that nearly earned Sengkang a draw.

With two minutes left on the clock, Ryan Fante managed to connect with full back Duncan Elias’s cross from the left but Shahril Jantan once again leaped well to tip it over the bar.

That was the last significant piece of action as SAFFC closed out on a one-goal victory. The result meant SAFFC leapfrogged Gombak into 5th in the table with 25 points from 16 games, nine points behind leaders Tampines Rovers while Sengkang Punggol’s seventh consecutive game with a win meant they continue to lie at the foot of the table with 11 points from 16 games.

SAFFC head coach Richard Bok appeared a satisfied man after the game.

“I think overall we played well today,” said Bok. “Our passing was fluid and got down the flanks well. It was just that some of the crosses are not effective and at some crucial moments we gave away a few dangerous free kicks.”

“At this stage of the season, I will gladly take the 3 points!” he quipped.

Meanwhile Sengkang head coach Aide Iskandar remained satisfied in defeat.

“I think my boys did okay today,” reflected Sengkang head coach Aide Iskandar. “In fact they actually played above my expectations.”

“Maybe they could be better in terms of moving forward, but you have to give credit to SAFFC who is a quality side. Losing 0-1 to them is certainly no shame as my team is very young in age, especially my backline. They fought really hard against a much more experienced team.”

“We are not happy with our current standings (in the S.League table) and we have already identified some problematic areas to plug in. We’re definitely looking to sign a couple of players,” added Aide.

SAFFC will look to maintain their momentum against Albirex Niigata (Singapore) in the televised match on Friday, 11 June at Jalan Besar Stadium while Sengkang Punggol will continue their long search for a win when they host Home United on Monday, 14 June at Hougang Stadium.