Football: Geylang International condemn Garena Young Lions to 10th straight defeat

Garena Young Lions coach Patrick Hesse speaking to his charges during his side's training session at Geylang Lorong 12 field ahead of their May 5 match aginst Geylang International. ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM

SINGAPORE - Determined to shake off their tag as the S-League's "draw-specialists" after six draws in 10 previous games, Geylang International aided their cause when they beat Garena Young Lions 3-1 at Bedok Stadium on Thursday.

By doing so, Hasrin Jailani's men condemned the Young Lions to its 10th consecutive league defeat. Patrick Hesse's youngsters have lost every single match since beating Balestier Khalsa 1-0 on the opening day.

Within two minutes of the start, Geylang forward Sahil Suhaimi was pulled down in the box and referee G. Letchman awarded a penalty.

Up stepped Carlos Delgado to convert the spot-kick, sending goalkeeper Benjamin Bertrand the wrong way, for his fourth goal of the season.

Geylang missed another glorious opportunity in the 11th minute when Sahil played Stanely Ng through but Bertrand stuck out a leg in time to deny the attacking midfielder.

Young Lions introduced national striker Khairul Amri in the second half but it was club leading scorer Fareez Farhan who got his name on the scoresheet in the 52nd minute.

After Daniel Bennett tripped Rusyaidi Salime in the box, Fareez coolly slotted the ball home to his left and past Eagles goalkeeper Syazwan Buhari to equalise for the Young Lions. The strike was Fareez's sixth goal this campaign and he has accounted for all of his team's goals so far this season.

However, the Eagles restored their lead in the 75th minute when defender Yuki Ichikawa pounced after Bertrand dropped the ball during a corner, giving the defender an easy finish.

The rest of the match saw both teams exchanging feisty challenges, with the referee whistling for fouls on numerous occasions.

Substitute Gabriel Quak made it 3-1 in the 89th minute to secure Geylang's third victory this campaign and the side's first back-to-back league victories this year.

The Eagles are fifth in the table with 15 points while the Young Lions stay bottom on three points.

In Thursday's other match, Warriors FC's Marijan Suto snatched an 89th minute equaliser to earn a 1-1 draw against defending champions Brunei DPMM at Choa Chu Kang Stadium.

Jorg Steinebrunner's men are seventh on 10 points while DPMM are fourth on 15 points, ahead of Geylang on goal difference.

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