10-man Tanjong Pagar rally to beat Albirex 2-1 in Singapore Premier League
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Faizal Roslan scoring his penalty to hand Tanjong Pagar a 2-1 lead.
ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
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SINGAPORE – Tanjong Pagar United showed great fighting spirit to come from a goal and a man down to beat defending Singapore Premier League (SPL) champions Albirex Niigata 2-1 at the Jurong East Stadium on July 12.
Syed Akmal was sent off in the 50th minute, but Salif Cisse and stand-in captain Faizal Roslan netted to stun their opponents, whose wretched run continued with their fifth straight defeat to sit eighth in the nine-team league. The Jaguars, meanwhile, rise to sixth with their second win of the season.
This was the second time the White Swans have lost their lead despite having a one-man advantage, following a 3-2 loss against Young Lions on June 15.
Tanjong Pagar coach Hasrin Jailani said: “We picked up after the red card. The players realised they had to work harder and move the ball faster. It could’ve gone both ways, but this is something positive.”
Albirex coach Kazuaki Yoshinaga declined to speak when approached.
Albirex took the lead 16 minutes in when Shingo Nakano leapt the highest to head Yohei Otake’s cross into the bottom corner.
Five minutes into the second half, Akmal saw red after he brought down Nakano who was through on goal.
Undaunted, Tanjong Pagar pushed forward and had a golden opportunity to equalise in the 71st minute after Sahil Suhaimi was adjudged to have been fouled in the box, but Cisse sent his spot kick over the bar.
But three minutes later, the French striker made up for his miss by getting the last touch off a Rezza Rezky corner to set up a grandstand finish.
Salif Cisse celebrates after making up for his earlier penalty miss.
ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO
In the 86th minute, Tanjong Pagar were awarded another penalty after goalkeeper Hassan Sunny and Cisse clashed in front of goal, which Faizal dispatched with aplomb.
Hasrin revealed that Japanese midfielder Tomoki Wada was supposed to take the spot kick, but centre-back Faizal, who was deputising for the injured Akram Azman, decided to take the responsibility upon himself.
“Faizal’s a good penalty taker, but knowing Hassan was on the other side, any local player will crumble so we wanted a foreign player. But being the captain for today’s match, he was really confident so we just left it as it is.”
Faizal added: “I’ve trained to be a penalty taker, and it’s my turn to step up as captain to get the lead for the team.
“I didn’t really have any eye contact with Hassan. I just faced the ball and focused on where I’m shooting.”
Hasrin hopes the Jaguars will build on their positive performance, saying: “The win gives us good morale, but we need to be consistent.”
Analysis
The Jaguars struggled in the first half and picked up the pace only after the red card, stringing passes together and pinning Albirex back in their half.
They showed energy and desire to overcome the wasteful White Swans.
