Early Webb goal silences Courts Young Lions

Source

Elwyn Lee
info@sleague.com

Hougang United snapped a three-match losing streak with a 1-0 home win over the Courts Young Lions on Monday evening.

The Cheetahs’ goal came after just four minutes, when Jordan Webb’s header off a Duncan David Elias cross was sent past Young Lions goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud.

It was a timely tonic that Hougang badly needed, having seen their morale drained by the run of losses following a difficult win over Woodlands Wellington in their first game.

Cheetahs coach Aide Iskandar was visibly pleased with the outcome as he addressed the media afterwards.

“It was an early goal, we wanted an early goal to boost morale,” he acknowledged.

“We held on, and credit must also be given the team for showing defensive rigidity.”

Fast from the start, the game’s tempo rarely sagged after the goal, the visitors often going forward and looking to break their hosts’ resistance.

Come close they did, but the goal never came for them – or for Hougang for that matter – as turgid defending and goalkeeping both ways maintained the score up to the full 95 minutes of the game including added time.

Fans waiting for the moment that decided the points did not have to wait too long, as regular free kick specialist Elias stepped up for Hougang after just four minutes to deliver his usual arcing curler, which automaton Webb connected with coolly near the six-yard box to deliver the goods.

Nine minutes later, the Young Lions fielded a response with a dead-ball devil of their own when Shahfiq Ghani’s direct attempt from outside the box was heading low into the Hougang goal until goalkeeper Ridzuan Fatah Hassan neutralised the effort near his left post.

Shahfiq was again involved in another opportunity on 19 minutes, although this time from open play.

Fazli Ayob tore down the left and passed on to Faritz Abdul Hameed at the far right, and the defender found Shahfiq in the middle of the box ready to hit home.

But the midfielder’s weak connection was scooped up by Cheetahs custodian Ridzuan.

The visitors were not deterred, and a lightning-quick counter eight minutes later saw them tear away from what began as a corner for the hosts, midfielder Nazrul Ahmad Nazari running straight down field from his half after receiving the ball.

Again the ball was worked towards Shahfiq, who was at the centre of everything important. With two men in orange coming between him and their goalkeeper, the forward had his work cut out for him.

Shahfiq did well to outmanoeuvre his opponents, but another weak shot after a good showing could only result in a Hougang clearance.

For all his remarkable overall form, Shahfiq’s function was lacking when, on 36 minutes, he was on the receiving end of a corner and only managed to sky his effort taken near the edge of the 18-yard area.

At the other end, Hougang could have punished the Young Lions further for wasting so many efforts, Webb allying himself well with midfielders Fazli Jaffar and Carlos Delgado to torment the opposition backline.

On 39 minutes, Fazli nicked the ball away from Faritz and made his way down the left into the Young Lions’ six-yard area, a well-taken drive coming ever so close but for the quick reflexes of Izwan, who managed to stop the ball on the line.

In case anyone had thought things would fizzle out after the break, Robin Chitrakar’s boys were not wanting in the second period either.

A string of free kicks always looked promising for the Young Lions, Nazrul’s blast from the left on 54 being one such effort, but time and again Ridzuan and his defenders did their job well enough to save the day for Hougang.

There were moments from open play for the visitors to rue too, substitute Faris Ramli creating an opportunity shortly before the hour mark with a long cross that was a shade too high for Fazli Ayob.

Chitrakar was to bemoan those spurned opportunities at the end of the evening.

“With our efforts we should have at least taken something from this game,” he lamented.

Unfortunately for him, Lady Luck was not smiling on the young, diligent and, at times, enterprising visitors at Hougang’s green.

Even Hariss Harun could not level for the Young Lions after pushing up on 79 minutes from his initial defensive position. The 20-year-old weaved his way inside the box with three defenders in the way, and after two successful swivels he was eventually outdone at the final hurdle.

Hougang made sure they were not forgotten, though, and Webb was unfortunate to be called for an infringement on 81 minutes after getting involved in what appeared a harmless tussle with Young Lions defender Shakir Hamzah.

Delgado was the next man up trying to double his team’s lead, the Argentinian’s pulverising drive from the edge of the 18-yard box ricocheting off a Young Lion player and hitting the safety netting after flying over the crossbar.

The final five minutes were frantic for both sides, as Basit Abdul Hamid joined Webb and Delgado in making a final push deep into the opposing half.

Basit fed Webb, who then laid the ball on to Delgado at the right, but Delgado saw his low drive towards goal come off a defender and into the safety of Izwan’s arms.

The Young Lions attempted a similar blitz in the final minute of play, but Hougang’s defensive line would not be swayed from holding on to a valuable win.