Geylang International booked their spot in the Singapore League Cup semifinals with a game to spare after an emphatic 4-1 victory against rivals Tampines Rovers in a Group B clash at Jurong West Stadium on Tuesday night.
20-year-old Prime League forward Ifwat Ismail stole the show by coming on at half-time to score a hat trick for the Eagles.
After a goalless first half, the game sparked into life eight minutes after the restart.
Shawal Anuar's excellent through ball found Ifwat, who calmly slotted past the onrushing Tampines custodian Joey Sim to put the Eagles 1-0 up.
Tampines would level matters in the 63rd minute, with Fazli Ayob's free kick from a tight angle creeping past Geylang goalkeeper Syazwan Buhari at his near post.
However, Geylang retook the lead just a minute later, with Ifwat sending a firm downward header past Sim.
The visitors scored again on 68 minutes to double the advantage. Amy Recha pounced on a loose ball to fire a low shot past the hapless Sim from inside the area.
Noor Ali's side sealed the victory five minutes from time, with Ifwat cutting inside his marker before firing home from close range to take home the match ball.
Brunei DPMM joined Geylang in the semifinals after an easy 3-0 win against Balestier Khalsa in Tuesday night's other Group B game, with Ashrul Syafeeq's own goal sandwiching strikes from Azwan Ali and Adi Said.
Both sides are on six points after two games, and will contest for top spot when they face off at Jalan Besar Stadium on Friday night.
Tampines Rovers: Joey Sim (GK), Ehvin Sasidharan (Ismadi Mukhtar 68'), Andi Agus, Hafiz Rahim (C), Jufri Taha, Faizal Raffi (Khairul Nizam 59'), Danish Uwais, Fazli Ayob, Hafiz Sujad, Irwan Shah, Fazrul Nawaz
Geylang International: Syazwan Buhari (GK), Faritz Hameed, Yuki Ichikawa, Anders Aplin, Al-Qaasimy Rahman, Shawal Anuar, Ricardo Sendra, Nor Azli Yusoff (C), Gabriel Quak (Ifwat Ismail 46'), Shahfiq Ghani (Isa Halim 32'), Amy Recha (Ashraf Razali 84')