Yasir Hanapi double in S.League helps Tampines Rovers snap losing streak

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:45 am

Tampines Rovers
Tampines Rovers
S.League

Tampines Rovers finally regained some form on Saturday night when they snapped a three-game losing streak in all competitions to claim a 4-0 S.League win over Eastern Derby rivals Geylang International at Jalan Besar Stadium.

Ryutaro Megumi got the Stags on their way when he opened the scoring in the 35th minute, before he struck again right at the death, after a second-half double from Yasir Hanapi

With the result, Tampines climb up to third on the table, a point behind leaders Albirex Niigata (S).

More importantly, it was the kind of dominant display that was desperately required after their recent slump.

Just four days ago, they had thrown away a lead before going down 2-1 at home to Ha Noi in the AFC Cup, meaning they had lost six of their opening nine games in 2017.

Nonetheless, they looked a side determined to get back on track from the opening whistle on Saturday.

They came close to scoring as early as the fifth minute when Ivan Dzoni almost caught Geylang's rookie goalkeeper Nur Amin off his line, only for Al-Qaasimy Rahman to race back in time and head clear.

Dzoni again looked destined to open the scoring in the 16th minute after being picked out by Shakir Hamzah's inch-perfect cross, but Yuki Ichikawa halted the threat with a brilliant block.

Up to that point, he had been having an nervy evening, but Nur Amin did well to keep his side level shortly after the half-hour mark. He saved a Shahdan Sulaiman free-kick before denying Megumi in a one-on-one situation in quick succession.

But, just a minute later, there was nothing he could do to prevent Tampines from opening the scoring.

Having received possession, Megumi did well to see off two defenders before his shot took a wicked deflection past a hapless Nur Amin into the back of the net.

Still, the Stags would have been aware that a one-goal cushion was hardly the most secure of leads, especially following their mid-week collapse to Ha Noi.

A minute after the hour mark, they strengthened their control on the contest as Megumi turned provider, teeing up Yasir on the edge of the box for the Singapore international to curl home a lovely effort.

While they did show their fair share of initiative in trying to force their way back into the contest, Geylang were just unable to carve out any clear-cut opportunities.

With nine minutes remaining, the result was effectively put beyond doubt as Yasir was on target again. He curled in a left-footed effort off the post after Megumi had initiated a fine breakaway.

And, just for good measure, the Stags added a fourth in the final minute as Megumi capped off a man-of-the-match display with his second of the evening. He embarked on an excellent dribble before neatly clipping his shot over the onrushing Nur Amin to ensure his side went home smiling for the first time in a long while.

In Saturday's other game, Warriors FC moved up to second spot after a remarkable revival saw them come back from two goals down to beat Garena Young Lions 4-3 at Choa Chu Kang Stadium.

Geylang International: Nur Amin Malik, Faritz Hameed, Anders Aplin, Yuki Ichikawa, Al-Qaasimy Rahman, Isa Halim, Safirul Sulaiman, Gabriel Quak (Ricardo Sendra 54'), Shahfiq Ghani (Stanely Ng 62'), Amy Recha (Darren Teh 83'), Victor Coto

Tampines Rovers: Joey Sim, Jufri Taha, Fahrudin Mustafic, Daniel Bennett, Shakir Hamzah, Son Yong-chan, Yasir Hanapi (Faizal Raffi 90'), Shahdan Sulaiman, Fazli Ayob (Irwan Shah 66'), Ryutaro Megumi, Ivan Dzoni (Zulfadhmi Suzliman 88')