【Match Report】 Gritty White Swans Grind Out Victory
In a rain-soaked night and on a rain-soaked pitch, the White Swans dug deep into it reserves to grind out a 1-2 victory over Tanjong Pagar this evening at Jurong East Stadium.
Although the Jaguars shipped 7 goals in its last game against the Lion City Sailors, Yoshinaga and his charges were aware that today's opponent always gives 200% effort in the Jurong East derby.
As expected, Tanjong Pagar parked its bus from the start of the game and the White Swans attacking trio of Lee, Tanaka and Ilhan could hardly find any space. Thus, the first half ended scoreless.
The same theme continued in the second half. However, in the 56th minute, midfield enforcer Kumpei Kakuta played a one-two with Lee Tadanari and broke into the box. Although the Tanjong Pagar defenders tried hard to block him, the bouncing ball somehow trickled into the goal. Tanjong Pagar players protested for an imaginary handball to referee Jansen Foo in vain. The goal stood and Albirex finally found the breakthrough they needed.
The goal opened up more space for Albirex as Tanjong Pagar moved forward finally to try to get an equaliser. Ilhan had 2 chances to score, but his first header went over the crossbar while his second header clipped the crossbar. Just when you thought it was not his day, his goal finally came when he received a through pass from Lee and Ilhan intelligently dinked his shot over the onrushing Jaguars keeper. The White Swans extended the lead to 2 nil.
Albirex were eager to close out the game to avoid the same situation at the last game against Tanjong Pagar when they conceded 2 goals in additional time to lose 2-1. Their tasks were made more difficult when the White Swans keeper Koga inexplicably hesitated to come out to collect a free kick and Jaguars midfielder, Blake Ricciuto reacted quickest to tap the ball home in the 86th minute.
The White Swans clung onto the ball for dear life thereafter to deny the Jaguars any chance to make any meaningful attack. They managed to hold out until the final whistle this time round to get the precious three points badly needed to stay in the title race.
With 6 games to go, Albirex is 3 points behind Lion City Sailors and the Sailors have a much superior goal difference. Thus the White Swans cannot afford to drop any more points and hope that the Sailors would slip up in other matches.
Albirex will travel to Toa Payoh Stadium next Friday night, 2 Sep, to play against Balestier Khalsa at 7.45pm.
Although the Jaguars shipped 7 goals in its last game against the Lion City Sailors, Yoshinaga and his charges were aware that today's opponent always gives 200% effort in the Jurong East derby.
As expected, Tanjong Pagar parked its bus from the start of the game and the White Swans attacking trio of Lee, Tanaka and Ilhan could hardly find any space. Thus, the first half ended scoreless.
The same theme continued in the second half. However, in the 56th minute, midfield enforcer Kumpei Kakuta played a one-two with Lee Tadanari and broke into the box. Although the Tanjong Pagar defenders tried hard to block him, the bouncing ball somehow trickled into the goal. Tanjong Pagar players protested for an imaginary handball to referee Jansen Foo in vain. The goal stood and Albirex finally found the breakthrough they needed.
The goal opened up more space for Albirex as Tanjong Pagar moved forward finally to try to get an equaliser. Ilhan had 2 chances to score, but his first header went over the crossbar while his second header clipped the crossbar. Just when you thought it was not his day, his goal finally came when he received a through pass from Lee and Ilhan intelligently dinked his shot over the onrushing Jaguars keeper. The White Swans extended the lead to 2 nil.
Albirex were eager to close out the game to avoid the same situation at the last game against Tanjong Pagar when they conceded 2 goals in additional time to lose 2-1. Their tasks were made more difficult when the White Swans keeper Koga inexplicably hesitated to come out to collect a free kick and Jaguars midfielder, Blake Ricciuto reacted quickest to tap the ball home in the 86th minute.
The White Swans clung onto the ball for dear life thereafter to deny the Jaguars any chance to make any meaningful attack. They managed to hold out until the final whistle this time round to get the precious three points badly needed to stay in the title race.
With 6 games to go, Albirex is 3 points behind Lion City Sailors and the Sailors have a much superior goal difference. Thus the White Swans cannot afford to drop any more points and hope that the Sailors would slip up in other matches.
Albirex will travel to Toa Payoh Stadium next Friday night, 2 Sep, to play against Balestier Khalsa at 7.45pm.
