Ryhan Stewart clips the Eagles’ wings with stoppage-time equaliser for Albirex Niigata in SPL

SINGAPORE – Keeping up his knack of scoring against Geylang International, Ryhan Stewart notched his most dramatic goal yet as his stoppage-time equaliser on Feb 9 helped 10-man Albirex Niigata salvage a 1-1 draw in the Singapore Premier League.

This was the fullback’s third strike in nine matches against Geylang, more than against any other team and his first goal in Albirex colours.

While he declined to go into details on why the goal had extra meaning for him, it was clear to see that there was a personal motivation as he flapped his arms like an eagle during his exuberant goal celebrations.

He also punched the air in delight several times in front of the Geylang bench at the final whistle, which incensed Eagles coach Noor Ali and his players.

Stewart, 24, also clashed with Geylang defender Shakir Hamzah during the match at the Jurong East Stadium and the pair had to be separated by teammates.

While playing for the Young Lions against Geylang in the 2021 SPL season, Stewart was yellow-carded and earned the ire of the Eagles’ fans when he goaded them after his side won 3-2. 

Asked if he had any animosity towards Geylang, Stewart, who has 23 caps for Singapore, chuckled and said: “It is not anything special, it is a normal game. Let’s keep it at that.

“It is always a hard game against Geylang, they are a good side with good players and perhaps it was my lucky day today. Credit to my team because even when we went a goal down and later a man down, we never stopped working hard and we got the reward in the end.”

Before Stewart’s last-gasp equaliser, it looked like it was not going to be Albirex’s day.

The hosts were given a penalty by referee Jansen Foo in the eighth minute when Geylang defender Keito Hariya was penalised for handball. But Albirex top scorer Shingo Nakano, who has 18 goals in 19 previous games, blasted the ball over the crossbar.

Geylang forward Tomoyuki Doi then netted the opener in the 23rd minute against the run of play. The Japanese received a pass from Ryoya Taniguchi, broke into the box and dribbled past Albirex defender Koki Kawachi before unleashing an unstoppable shot past Hassan Sunny for a league-high 35th goal of the season.

Albirex were then reduced to 10 men in the 66th minute, when defender Stevia Mikuni was sent off for a second yellow card after hauling down Taniguchi as Geylang went on a counter-attack.

Just as the Eagles thought they had all three points in the bag, Stewart – who had been lively all evening down the right flank – sneaked in at the far post to connect with a cross from substitute Arshad Shamim and clinched a valuable point for the hosts with a looping header.

Albirex coach Keiji Shigetomi, whose side are fifth in the nine-team SPL on 29 points, credited his players for pushing till the end and sang Stewart’s praises. He said: “I am so happy with him because he is always working so hard in training or in matches and he is improving in every game for us.”

Noor Ali did not mince his words at full time. He admitted: “I don’t think we deserved anything from the game. Too many players had an off day and we were not playing the way we wanted to.

“There are nine games left to play, we must improve and end the season well.”

Meanwhile at the Bishan Stadium, German forward Lennart Thy’s first hat-trick for the Lion City Sailors saw the league leaders romp to a 4-1 win over 10-man Tanjong Pagar United.

Thy struck in the 11th, 59th and 69th minutes while Australian defender Bailey Wright scored with a header in the 24th minute, as the Sailors went six points clear at the top with a game in hand over second-placed BG Tampines Rovers (45 points).

Bottom side Tanjong Pagar had Faizal Roslan sent off in the 74th minute for a second yellow card before Tomoki Wada struck from a free kick in the 89th minute.

Analysis

Geylang (41 points) are on course for their first top-three finish since 2003 and Doi has been the most important factor, as the Eagles are the league’s highest scorers with 74 goals in 23 matches. But it is at the back that they need to improve, having conceded 41 which is 10 more than Tampines.