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Dolphins contented by contentious win
Paul Green
info@sleague.com
Sengkang Punggol made it two 1-0 wins in as many games when they accounted for old rivals Balestier Khalsa in Friday night’s televised Great Eastern-YEO’S S.League game at Jalan Besar Stadium.
“It is the first time in three years we have beaten Balestier,” said a relieved Aide Iskandar, after his side had survived the sending-off of their captain Nor Azli Yusoff after only 37 minutes.
There was then the stoppage-time shot from the Tigers’ Brazilian ace Rivaldo Costa that cannoned off the right-hand upright and nearly robbed Sengkang of two of their three valuable points.
“Nor Azli came up to the players after the game and congratulated them, and apologised for leaving them short-handed for the majority of the game.
“I don’t know if the referee was correct as I was in no position to see,” said Aide, referring to his captain being dismissed for a back-hander against an opponent, following a duel for the ball.
The main talking point of the game, though, was not the sending-off, but the manner of Sengkang’s only goal, scored 24 minutes into the game.
A free kick was awarded deep on the right and, unusual for a Dolphins free kick these days, it was delivered without the help of any other player.
Jalal sent the ball into the goalmouth even as referee Zaid Hussein appeared with the whistle poised, but not yet sounded, though he blew as soon as the ball left Jalal’s boot.
That half-second of reaction time was enough for hesitation in the Balestier defence, as Sengkang defender Kenji Arai leapt like a salmon to nod the ball past the keeper.
The Balestier players were furious, and defender Paul Cunningham went into the official’s book for dissent.
It had been a even game to that point, but Balestier lacked the extra drive to trouble Sengkang for most of the game, and even when their opponents lost a player to a straight red card it seemed to make little difference.
It was not a game of multiple chances by any means, with what shots there were going well wide more often than not.
Things livened up considerably when Sengkang threw on one time Player-of-the-Month Jordan Webb, who has been sidelined for months, one isolated recent appearance excepted.
Webb tantalised the Balestier defence as soon as he came off the bench on 62 minutes and won a free kick almost immediately.
He also worked hard to help his side preserve their slender lead with some important clearances late in the game, mostly with headers.
In fact, Webb might well have doubled his side’s lead on 80 minutes when through on goal with the keeper to beat, but lack of match practice saw him outwitted by the defenders rushing back to cover and the chance went begging.
Late in the game Costa got into the box at the other end and, with the goal at his mercy, managed to rattled the woodwork, much to the relief of the Sengkang defence.
Vitor Borges was taken off 66 minutes in having fluffed his lines up front as well, missing a chance right in front when defenders should not have had the time to deny him a clear-cut goal.
Balestier coach Nasaruddin Jalil was unhappy about the match-deciding goal for its controversial nature, but also felt his side had lacked composure and resolve when it was needed most.
“It’s not easy playing on that pitch,” he said.
“Players can get injured and it’s always hard for them to deal with.”
Nasaruddin mentioned that absent midfielder K. Vikraman was sorely missed, but added that the rest of the players needed to step up in his absence.
Sengkang moved four points clear of last-placed Woodlands Wellington after the slender 1-0 win, but Balestier are slipping away from a respectable mid-table position down towards the cellar once more.
The Tigers management will be anxious to arrest the slide.
Sengkang, with two wins under their belts and with a small but vocal cheer squad getting behind them for their last two wins, will now have their sights set on overtaking the likes of Albirex Niigata (Singapore), whose next opponents are incidentally Balestier.
Meanwhile the Dolphins will have the suspended Duncan Elias back for their Tuesday visit to Queenstown Stadium to play Etoile FC.
A third win in a row might seem beyond the Dolphins, but it may be worth remembering that the two sides drew 2-2 at the start of the season, and the second game at Jalan Besar finished in a narrow 1-0 win to the French side.
Getting even is sure to be the focus of Aide’s approach to the game on Tuesday, especially with two back-to-back wins to provide his boys with a timely lift to their morale. |
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