Yasir Hanapi goal gives Tampines Rovers crucial win over Geylang

S.League

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Tampines Rovers snapped a two-game losing run in all competitions after claiming a 1-0 win over Eastern Derby rivals Geylang International at Bedok Stadium on Thursday night.

The only goal of the game came two minutes before the half-hour mark when Yasir Hanapi poked the ball home from close range.

It proved enough to hand his side a much-needed three points following losses to Ceres La Salle and Albirex Niigata (S). They will now head into next week's AFC Cup clash away to Bangladesh's Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi with renewed confidence.

Stags' coach V. Sundramoorthy will certainly be pleased with the way they started a must-win game. Tampines looked the brighter of the two teams from the opening whistle and first threatened in the 18th minute when Jermaine Pennant's right-wing cross picked out Jordan Webb at the far post, only for the Canadian to send his header wide.

The visitors continued to apply the pressure and they reaped the dividends in the 28th minute when Webb made amends for his earlier miss. He found space inside the area before squaring the ball to leave Yasir with a simple tap-in.

Tampines continued to look the livelier of the two teams after the break, but Geylang were also beginning to threaten.

The introduction of Gabriel Quak and Stanely Ng added plenty of pace to the Eagles' attack. The former nearly helped them grab the equaliser in the 79th minute, only for his freekick to be headed over by Shawal Anuar.

Tampines were then unlucky not to wrap things up seven minutes later when Pennant's sublime free-kick came crashing off the bar.

The hosts nearly capitalised in injury-time with a golden opportunity. However, having beaten opposition goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud in a 50-50 challenge, Shawal could only watch on in despair as his header sailed just wide of the unguarded goal, allowing Tampines to claim the win.

Relieved at seeing his side taste victory again, Sundram said: "The win was very important today because it keeps us close to (leaders Albirex) and puts pressure on them ahead of their game against Brunei DPMM.

"I thought, just like in our last game against Albirex, we played well and controlled the game up till the 75th minute, and then we defended well to get the clean sheet."

Geylang coach Hasrin Jailani was proud of his players' effort, despite their unwanted record of just one win in nine matches.

"Obviously, it's disappointing to have not won again but, looking at the game, it was quite even," said the former Singapore international.

"I'm not sure if their goal was offside but it definitely changed the complexion of the game.

"Now, we just have to continue working on the training ground on doing the right things and, hopefully, luck will go our way sooner rather than later."

Geylang International: Syazwan Buhari, Faritz Hameed, Daniel Bennett, Yuki Ichikawa, Al-Qaasimy Rahman (Shariff Samat 88'), Isa Halim (Gabriel Quak 52'), Safirul Sulaiman, Carlos Delgado, Branko Cubrilo (Stanely Ng 70'), Shawal Anuar, Amy Recha.

Tampines Rovers: Izwan Mahbud, Noh Rahman, Fahrudin Mustafic, Shakir Hamzah, Hafiz Abu Sujad, Izzdin Shafiq, Yasir Hanapi, Shahdan Sulaiman, Jermaine Pennant (Irwan Shah 90'), Jordan Webb (Ismadi Mukhtar 83'), Billy Mehmet.