Sailors' Pedro Henrique sent off for professional foul on 33 minutes, as Geylang International pull off upset against Kim Do-hoon's multi million dollar squad
Geylang International players celebrating Vincent Bezecourt's early strike. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG
Singapore, 5 March 2022 - It might be early days yet, but if anyone thought this season's AIA Singapore Premier League title race was a foregone conclusion they might want to have a rethink again.
Match day 2 witnessed another giant killing in Singapore football's top flight for the second week in a row, as Geylang International pulled off an upset on home ground against Lion City Sailors, with Vincent Bezecourt's 8th minute stunner from the edge of the box proving enough to help the Eagles take all three points at Our Tampines Hub.
Geylang International players doing a lap of honour to thank Eagles fans at Our Tampines Hub. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG
Sailors Reduced to Ten
Despite putting in a concerted effort to turn the tide, Lion City Sailors' efforts proved to be futile, and their task was made even more difficult when Pedro Henrique was given his marching orders on 34 minutes for a professional foul against Sime Zuzul, who was brought down while being through on goal.
Kim Shin-wook contests a refereeing decision, as Lion City Sailors endure a frustrating outing in Tampines on Match Day 2. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG
The Sailors had entered this match off the back of an opening day 3-1 victory against Hougang United at Jalan Besar Stadium, although it must be of concern to Kim Do-hoon that his side has conceded the early advantage to the opposition in every match this season including the Community Shield, leaving them with an uphill climb each time.
Lion City Sailors Anumanthan does battle with Geylang International's Sime Zuzul. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG
Said Kim after yesterday's defeat to the Eagles: "We learn from every game, and we’ll learn more from games that we lose. It’s only the second game of the season for us, so we’ll go back, analyse what happened, and we’ll learn - we’ll learn and bounce back."
Rio Sakuma (standing) celebrates with Zaiful Nizam at the final whistle. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG
When asked how the sending off impacted his team's game plans while chasing the game, the Korean said: "The red card obviously had an impact on the game - it’s not easy to play against any opponent when you are one man down - but Pedro was trying his best for the team.
No way through Geylang International's defence for Sailors' Hafiz Nor (second from right). PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG
Geylang prepared well, credit to them for that. In football you have to score to win, and we didn’t do that today, so we’ll have to go back take a look at the game again, keep our chins up, work harder to prepare better and bounce back - I’m confident we will bounce back."
Geylang players celebrating at the final whistle. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG
Kim Do-hoon's side will be looking to get their campaign back on track, as they host Tampines Rovers at Jalan Besar Stadium.
Noor Ali's Geylang International will meanwhile make the trip up north to face Hougang United, who will first need to overcome a fired-up Tanjong Pagar United this Sunday at Jurong East Stadium, fresh off the back of their opening day upset of Albirex Niigata.
Lion City Sailors goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud organises his defence during a set piece. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG
AIA Singapore Premier League 2022
Other Gameweek 2 Fixtures
Albirex Niigata (S) vs Balestier Khalsa Sat, 5 Mar 2022, 5.30pm. Jurong East Stadium
Tanjong Pagar United vs Hougang United Sun, 6 Mar 2022, 5.30pm. Jurong East Stadium
Rallying cries before kick-off for Geylang International FC. PHOTO: FAIZAL BASIR, SPORTPLUS.SG