Geylang International beat League Champions Albirex, 1-2, in a major upset in the Singapore Cup group stage this evening at the White Swans home ground in Jurong East Stadium.
The Eagles had lost to the White Swans in all 3 league matches this season by at least a 3 goal margin. However, the White Swans just did not turn up tonight until late in the match.
Winger Riku Fukashiro was the only change from the drab draw with DPMM Brunei last Sunday, replacing the misfiring Keito "Fire" Komatsu.
【#9 Riku Fukashiro】
However, Fukashiro was equally ineffective in this game as it seemed that all his tricks and dazzles have been found out by his opponent.
It was the Eagles winger, Yushi Yamaya, instead who mesmerised the White Swan's defence just before half time when he went on a rampage down the left wing, leaving the right back Ryo Takahashi and centre back Shunsaku "Godzilla" Kishimoto for dead. He swept the ball into Hassan's far left corner to give the Eagles a one-nil lead into half time.
"Fire" Komatsu came on at half time to replace Junki Yoshimura, hoping to rekindle the fire he had lost in the last few games and also to rekindle hopes of salvaging the game.
【#11 Keito Komatsu】
Unfortunately, it was the Eagles who drew blood again.
"Godzilla" Kishimoto had not been looking like his beasty self in this Singapore Cup tournament. Following his error in the DPMM game, he played Naufal Azman onside in the 51st minute as Naufal penetrated the White Swan's defence line. Naufal slipped the ball onto Hassan's left to extend Geylang's lead to 2 nil. The White Swans supporters were stunned into silence.
Head Coach Yoshinaga brought on veteran striker Tadanari Lee as a last throw of the dice. Lee helped to pull a goal back when his guided header from a free kick in the 74th minute found Godzilla at the far corner who headed the ball into the net to reduce the deficit to 1-2.
【#5 Shunsaku Kishimoto】
Geylang decided to park the bus in front of their defence in the last 15 minutes and they successfully thwarted all the White Swans attempt to penetrate their defence.
The final whistle could not come too early for the Eagles' relief and their bench celebrated wildly for a hard fought and well deserved victory.
In the other group match tonight, DPMM shocked Tampines Rovers 1 nil at Jalan Besar Stadium to lead Group A with 4 points. Geylang International and Tampines are 2nd and 3rd respectively with 3 points, while Albirex has 1 point. Propping up the table is Young Lions who has not gain a point yet.
The White Swans would have to beat Young Lions and Tampines Rovers in the remaining 2 matches and hope that other results go their way. The next match is scheduled on 22 Oct at Jurong East Stadium and the White Swans will host Young Lions.
Match Details
The Eagles had lost to the White Swans in all 3 league matches this season by at least a 3 goal margin. However, the White Swans just did not turn up tonight until late in the match.
Winger Riku Fukashiro was the only change from the drab draw with DPMM Brunei last Sunday, replacing the misfiring Keito "Fire" Komatsu.
【#9 Riku Fukashiro】
However, Fukashiro was equally ineffective in this game as it seemed that all his tricks and dazzles have been found out by his opponent.
It was the Eagles winger, Yushi Yamaya, instead who mesmerised the White Swan's defence just before half time when he went on a rampage down the left wing, leaving the right back Ryo Takahashi and centre back Shunsaku "Godzilla" Kishimoto for dead. He swept the ball into Hassan's far left corner to give the Eagles a one-nil lead into half time.
"Fire" Komatsu came on at half time to replace Junki Yoshimura, hoping to rekindle the fire he had lost in the last few games and also to rekindle hopes of salvaging the game.
【#11 Keito Komatsu】
Unfortunately, it was the Eagles who drew blood again.
"Godzilla" Kishimoto had not been looking like his beasty self in this Singapore Cup tournament. Following his error in the DPMM game, he played Naufal Azman onside in the 51st minute as Naufal penetrated the White Swan's defence line. Naufal slipped the ball onto Hassan's left to extend Geylang's lead to 2 nil. The White Swans supporters were stunned into silence.
Head Coach Yoshinaga brought on veteran striker Tadanari Lee as a last throw of the dice. Lee helped to pull a goal back when his guided header from a free kick in the 74th minute found Godzilla at the far corner who headed the ball into the net to reduce the deficit to 1-2.
【#5 Shunsaku Kishimoto】
Geylang decided to park the bus in front of their defence in the last 15 minutes and they successfully thwarted all the White Swans attempt to penetrate their defence.
The final whistle could not come too early for the Eagles' relief and their bench celebrated wildly for a hard fought and well deserved victory.
In the other group match tonight, DPMM shocked Tampines Rovers 1 nil at Jalan Besar Stadium to lead Group A with 4 points. Geylang International and Tampines are 2nd and 3rd respectively with 3 points, while Albirex has 1 point. Propping up the table is Young Lions who has not gain a point yet.
The White Swans would have to beat Young Lions and Tampines Rovers in the remaining 2 matches and hope that other results go their way. The next match is scheduled on 22 Oct at Jurong East Stadium and the White Swans will host Young Lions.
Match Details
