SINGAPORE (2 Oct 2012) – Gombak United dented Harimau Muda’s title ambition in the S-League 2012 when they scored a narrow 2-1 win over the latter at the Jalan Besar Stadium on the weekend.
While chief coach Ong Kim Swee had never set winning the S-League in their debut season as a priority, still the expectations were there that the Malaysian U23 side could effectively fight for the crown this year following several positive results.
However, all that prospects were thrown out the window where after a competitive deadlock first half, Gombak came firing in with two goals from Zulfadhli Emran in the 51st minute and then Jung Hee Bong in the 64th minute.
“Personally, I feel very good to have won this game. Iit as one of our best this year,” said K. Balagumaran, the chief coach of Gombak afterwards.
“In the first game against them, we were beaten 2-0. So we had our game plan this time, and it worked. I’m happy for the young players; every time we bring in young players, they rise to the occasion, and that is great to see. It sets the team spirit up very nicely for the RHB Singapore Cup semi-finals.”
Wan Zack Haikal scored the only goal for the Malaysians from the penalty spot in the 67th minute. With the loss, Harimau Muda are still on fifth at the table – eleven points behind table-toppers Tampines Rovers.
Gombak are placed ninth.
“This title race is making it hard for the boys in terms of winning all their matches,” explained Ong Kim Swee, the chief coach of Harimau Muda.
“I think it is affecting all the top teams – the top five are under a lot of pressure. It is easier for the bottom teams because they don’t have as much to play for and can just go out and play.
“We had our chances in the first half and should have wrapped it up then. If you don’t convert, your opponents will get more confident.”
Photo by Aundry Gan
CURRENT S-LEAGUE 2012 STANDINGS
|
No |
Team |
P |
W |
D |
L |
GF |
GA |
GD |
Pts |
|
1 |
Tampines Rovers |
22 |
14 |
4 |
4 |
45 |
22 |
+23 |
46 |
|
2 |
Brunei DPMM |
21 |
13 |
3 |
5 |
44 |
23 |
+21 |
42 |
|
3 |
Albirex Niigata (S) |
21 |
12 |
4 |
5 |
34 |
23 |
+11 |
40 |
|
4 |
Home United |
21 |
10 |
5 |
6 |
41 |
28 |
+13 |
35 |
|
5 |
Harimau Muda |
20 |
11 |
2 |
7 |
32 |
21 |
+11 |
35 |
|
6 |
Balestier Khalsa |
21 |
10 |
5 |
6 |
20 |
17 |
+3 |
35 |
|
7 |
Singapore Armed Forces |
21 |
8 |
5 |
8 |
35 |
34 |
+1 |
29 |
|
8 |
Hougang United |
22 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
30 |
30 |
0 |
28 |
|
9 |
Gombak United |
21 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
20 |
20 |
0 |
28 |
|
10 |
Young Lions |
22 |
6 |
3 |
13 |
23 |
35 |
−12 |
21 |
|
11 |
Tanjong Pagar United |
20 |
5 |
3 |
12 |
12 |
34 |
−22 |
18 |
|
12 |
Geylang United |
20 |
3 |
5 |
12 |
20 |
44 |
−24 |
14 |
|
13 |
Woodlands Wellington |
21 |
2 |
4 |
15 |
15 |
40 |
−25 |
10 |
