Geylang International’s Tomoyuki Doi sets SPL scoring record in loss to Balestier Khalsa

SINGAPORE – With a clever shimmy and clinical finish, Geylang International forward Tomoyuki Doi netted his 39th goal on March 7 to claim the record for most Singapore Premier League (SPL) strikes in a season.

The previous mark by former Singapore Armed Forces FC forward Mirko Grabovac had stood since he plundered 38 goals in a 33-game campaign in 2001.

However, Doi was upstaged by fellow Japanese attacker and Albirex Niigata alumnus Kodai Tanaka, who was involved in all of Balestier Khalsa’s four goals as the Tigers beat the Eagles 4-3 in a topsy-turvy thriller at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

A frustrated Doi, 27, told The Straits Times: “It is an honour to get the record, but I still cannot accept the result.

“We controlled the game well, and we know we can score. I tried to get myself into scoring positions and it’s frustrating to lose this match.

“We just have to move on and work harder to get back to winning ways.

“It sounds good to be able to score 50 goals (Doi also has five goals in the Singapore Cup), and I want to score as many as possible to help the team do as best as we can.”

Geylang had entered the home game with optimism, as they welcomed back playmaker Vincent Bezecourt and defender Rio Sakuma from injury.

But it was the visitors who drew first blood in the 25th minute, as Tanaka seized on a ball over the top by Fudhil I’yadh to notch his 20th SPL goal of the season.

The teams went into the break level after Bezecourt equalised in first-half added time by bending a lovely left-footer into the bottom corner.

As the Balestier defence of Madhu Mohana, Cher Garang and Abdil Qaiyyim won the majority of the aerial battles, they were also able to capitalise up front.

On the hour mark, Garang launched a counter-attack and Tanaka’s cross was put into his own goal by Keito Hariya.

The Tigers doubled their lead seven minutes later when Tanaka passed to substitute Ignatius Ang to lay off for Harith Kanadi to score against his former club.

Doi, who had been well shackled earlier, then reduced the arrears in the 77th minute, and the hosts looked set to complete a remarkable comeback when Naufal Azman’s cross was touched into his own net by Madhu in the 85th minute.

It was an end-to-end affair in the closing moments. After Tanaka escaped punishment for a handball claim in his own penalty box, he raced to the other end to cross for Ang to score the winner in the ninth minute of stoppage time.

Glad to help Balestier end a run of three league and cup defeats, the 25-year-old Tanaka said: “I’m happy we improved in terms of our tactics and performance. I always believe we can score and win games. We need to continue improving and win more games to end the season strongly.”

As Balestier consolidated their fifth position in the nine-team league, the result dented Geylang’s hopes of finishing in the top two for the first time since 2003.

While they remain third, Eagles coach Noor Ali said: “Kodai destroyed our defence, which was just not good enough today.

“Again, it was a case of us scoring three and conceding four. We know we have no problems scoring, but we keep letting ourselves down by conceding easy goals.”

ANALYSIS

A strong final round could put SPL top scorers Geylang in a strong position to rein in BG Tampines Rovers in the race to finish second behind runaway leaders Lion City Sailors.

But, with Sakuma rushed back from injury and Joshua Pereira expected to be out for weeks, the Eagles’ back problems could hurt their outside chance of qualifying for the AFC Champions League Two play-offs.

Doi will need to work overtime to make up for the goals conceded.