In a rare weekday game this evening, bottom teams Albirex and Hougang Utd met each other at Jalan Besar to determine who will be the main contender for the wooden spoon this season.
As results for both teams were not ideal, both were cautious and battled hard in the midfield. White Swans forward, Shingo Nakano, had 2 goals rules out in the first half. One for offside, and the other for a foul.
At the other end, White Swans custodian, Hassan Sunny, also made a number of crucial saves.
The evenly-matched first half ended scoreless.
The same theme continued in the second half with White Swans winger, Daniel Goh, forcing an outstanding save from Hougang keeper, Zaiful Nizam. While some last ditch tackles by the Albirex defence prevented Hougang from taking the lead.
However, Hougang's substitute, Gabriel Quak, proved to be the game changer.
At the 78th minute, he penetrated down the right flank and sent a delicious pass across the 6 yard box to striker Stjepan Plazonja. Plazonja swung his left foot and his curling shot evaded Hassan's despairing attempt to reach the ball, cannoned off the right upright and bounced into the goal.
The goal marked the difference between the two teams as the White Swan's front line led by Shuhei Hoshino was toothless again.
The honeymoon period by the new management team is over and they will have to regroup the players quickly who will face the in-formed team of Tampines Rovers this coming Saturday, 27 Jul, at Jurong East Stadium at 6pm kickoff time.
As results for both teams were not ideal, both were cautious and battled hard in the midfield. White Swans forward, Shingo Nakano, had 2 goals rules out in the first half. One for offside, and the other for a foul.
At the other end, White Swans custodian, Hassan Sunny, also made a number of crucial saves.
The evenly-matched first half ended scoreless.
The same theme continued in the second half with White Swans winger, Daniel Goh, forcing an outstanding save from Hougang keeper, Zaiful Nizam. While some last ditch tackles by the Albirex defence prevented Hougang from taking the lead.
However, Hougang's substitute, Gabriel Quak, proved to be the game changer.
At the 78th minute, he penetrated down the right flank and sent a delicious pass across the 6 yard box to striker Stjepan Plazonja. Plazonja swung his left foot and his curling shot evaded Hassan's despairing attempt to reach the ball, cannoned off the right upright and bounced into the goal.
The goal marked the difference between the two teams as the White Swan's front line led by Shuhei Hoshino was toothless again.
The honeymoon period by the new management team is over and they will have to regroup the players quickly who will face the in-formed team of Tampines Rovers this coming Saturday, 27 Jul, at Jurong East Stadium at 6pm kickoff time.
