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Lu strike seals Dalian's virgin victory
Ong Jiing Yih
info@sleague.com
A late goal from skipper Lu Peng meant Dalian Shide Siwu finally garnered their first win of the campaign at the fifth time of asking.
A 2-1 victory over Balestier Khalsa was achieved through two pieces of individual brilliance, by Zhao Honglue and Lu.
A dejected Balestier coach Nasaruddin Abdul Jalil, whose side briefly looked to have secured a point with Kaze Giscard’s equaliser in the 78th minute, had predicted the difference between the two teams would be tactical.
But while his Tigers played out his tactical plan well enough, they lacked overall spark and conviction in their play.
“From a tactical point of view we stuck to the game plan. We tried to absorb the pressure from Dalian and I think we did well,” said Nasaruddin.
“We caused some problems for them in the second half with the introduction of players like Andrew (Tan), as we limited Dalian’s movement.
“Although we came back strongly after conceding the first goal, the fact we let in two through the middle told the whole story. I felt we weren’t aggressive enough and could not produce in the final third. No matter you win or lose, you have to take your chances.”
Balestier began with four changes, as the youthful Anantha Rajan and Faizal Amir took their places alongside the more experienced G. Lenan and Yusri Waris.
Dalian tactician Pei Yongjiu brought in Chi Jinyu, who caused constant problems for the opponents’ backline with his set piece deliveries, and midfielder Wang Liang, who held an attacking role.
The home side had already begun making its headway on goal as early as the 11th minute, by troubling keeper Zakaria Normat to punch Chi’s freekick clear.
With his own defence under pressure, Paul Bekombo tried his best to pep up the attack. A cheeky cross undid the Dalian defence but came to no avail as none of his team-mates attacked the ball.
Frustration set in for the away side as Lenan was penalised by referee T. Aravinthan for a rash challenge outside the box.
Wang could have put his side in the lead after 24 minutes, but was caught in two minds and as he pondered whether to shoot or pass, Zakaria came out in time to narrow down the angle and a great chance was gone.
Possession was not the byword as both sides struggle to retain it, instead they kept giving away balls in vital areas on a slippery pitch.
The pendulum swung towards Balestier’s way as time wore on. Midfield schemer Mba Vitus Onyekachi played in Lenan during a short corner routine, and his rasping shot was parried away by the returning Wang Guoming in the Dalian goal.
The first half had been largely unimaginative and pedestrian, as both side struggled to find any sort of cohesive rhythm in the driving rain.
However, no one in the crowd could anticipate what was to come after the break, as the game sparkled into life.
Having missed through a wayward header by Ye Shaonan, Dalian deserved took the lead in glorious fashion on 54 minutes.
Balestier made a fatal mistake by giving away the ball inside their own half. Zhao strode in relatively unmarked, and struck a magnificent right-footed effort from outside the area. The blazing shot left Zakaria in goal no chance, as Zhao wheeled away to celebrate.
Bekombo tried a make a fast riposte moments later, however he lifted his freekick over the bar.
His side could gave gone further two down, as yet another loose ball found its way to Quan Heng, who twisted and turned past his markers before squeezing his attempt wide of the goal.
With Balestier mounting a late charge, substitute Andrew Tan sliced wide following a goalmouth scramble.
In a blink of an eye though, the Tigers conjured up an equaliser from seemingly nowhere. Giscard raced onto Tan’s delivery from the right, cut in and slammed home the ball.
The goal set up a nervy final period, as both sides belatedly went for the jugular.
As it was, yet another long-range strike sealed the win for Dalian.
After Tan’s horrible miscue when homing in on goal, Dalian broke forward and the ball eventually found captain Lu Peng, who gleefully accepted the invitation to slam home.
Speaking after the match, a delighted Dalian tactician Pei Yongjiu acknowledged his opponent’s attitude and the overall standard of the league.
“I’m very satisfied with the result,” said the coach. “We managed the feat without a complete line up, in light of injuries and suspensions. Once the league progresses and when we get in a few more players, I hope we can improve.
“I’m delighted as some of the lads, despite not being regular first team players and playing out of position, played well to give us our first win of the season. That helps in elevating our confidence.
“Given the way Balestier put our team under pressure during the game, I can see there are no easy games, as it proves the S.League to be of a high standard.” |
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