Shahdan brace helps Tampines Rovers crush Hougang

Tampines Rovers returned to second spot on the S.League table after coming from behind to thrash Hougang United 5-1 at Our Tampines Hub on Saturday night.

The victory meant they closed the gap between them and leaders Albirex Niigata (S) to 12 points, with two games in hand.

It was their biggest margin of victory since beating Geylang International 4-0 in April.

The Stags had to do it the hard way, with Hougang taking a surprise lead inside four minutes.

An excellent free kick played in by Zulfahmi Arifin was flicked across goal by Atsushi Shirota before Fareez Farhan nodded home inside the six-yard box.

Tampines hit right back by restoring parity seven minutes later.

After Hougang centre-back Lionel Tan was adjudged to have handled in the area, Shahdan Sulaiman stepped up, and sent Ridhuan Barudin the wrong way with the spot kick.

The home side had to wait until just before the break for their second goal.

Ryutaro Megumi's cross went unchecked in the Hougang box, before Irwan Shah popped up to convert at the back post.

Tampines then doubled their lead eight minutes after the restart, with Shahdan slamming home from the spot again after Ivan Dzoni was fouled in the box by Shirota.

That was the Singapore international's fourth goal in three games at the new venue, all coming via penalties.

The game was all but over by the 64th minute as Megumi tapped in Ismadi Mukhtar's teasing right-wing cross from close range.

Jurgen Raab's side rounded off the resounding victory when substitute Fazli Ayob thumped home a powerful first-time shot in the area after Hougang failed to clear their lines.

That was Hougang's worst defeat since a 5-1 thrashing by Warriors FC in their final game of last season.

The result meant they now trail fifth-placed Geylang International by seven points, albeit with a game in hand.

Geylang overcame Balestier Khalsa 2-0 in Saturday night's other game at Jalan Besar Stadium, through goals from Gabriel Quak and Shawal Anuar.

Tampines Rovers: Izwan Mahbud (GK), Madhu Mohana, Mustafic Fahrudin (C), Daniel Bennett, Ismadi Mukhtar, Shahdan Sulaiman, Hafiz Sujad (Hafiz Rahim 87'), Irwan Shah, Ryutaro Megumi, Fazrul Nawaz (Fazli Ayob 80'), Ivan Dzoni

Hougang United: Ridhuan Barudin (GK), Lionel Tan, Atsushi Shirota, Wahyudi Wahid (Iqbal Hussain 62'), Nazrul Nazari, Fabian Kwok (Syahiran Miswan 70'), Zulfahmi Arifin, Ali Hudzaifi (Faiz Salleh 35'), Fumiya Kogure, Fareez Farhan, Azhar Sairudin (C)