Indra Sahdan (no.19) scored the winner |
The Goa side beat the reigning Singapore Cup holders 3-1 in their earlier meeting and with defending S.League champions Tampines Rovers defeated another Indian side Pune FC a day earlier in another group match, it was without any doubt that the Protectors were determined to duplicate the same outcome.
Fazrul (right) can't stop scoring since his return |
Izzdin Shafiq (right) tussle with Balwant Singh |
All hard works eventually paid off when 35-year-old striker Indra Sahdan Daud, who came on as a replacement for Emuejeraye in the second half, scored the winning goal in the 72nd minute to signal his comeback to the scene after long lay off since last September when he broke his leg in a friendly match against Hong Kong.
"I feel good and happy to score (the winning goal) but the important thing is the team win tonight, as we have not been getting the results we want." said former national skipper on scoring the goal that gifted his side their season's first continental win after the match.
Timely tackle by Ismail Yunos (no.8) in second half |
Camara rose to clear the danger |
Nonetheless, Coach Lee Lim Saeng is able to catch a breather of late when stalwarts like Fazrul Nawaz and import Bruno Castanheira are making their return to the starting lineup to beef up their attack up front with the former on a scoring spree since returning to the action last month by triggered the strike the 25th minute.
Bruno (no.7) adds flair to HU's attack |
Speaking to the media after the 2-1 win, Coach Lee said:"I'm happy with the result and thank my players, but we are not finished yet。"
"My main concern is my players' fitness, we are playing seven games this month with our next game against Balestier (on this coming Saturday)and we need to show more improvement in collecting the ball, better support between our defence and attack."
Despite the win that favourably placed the Protectors on verge of repeating the same feat they did in 2012 by making to the knock-out phrase of the continent second-tier tournament, the Incheon native maintained:"It's too early to see if we can make it to next round, we need to see the next game."
Comments
Post a Comment
While I allow comment/feedback to be posted using Anonymous mode but comments containing discrimination of race, derogatory terms and seditious remarks will NOT be tolerated and will be deleted, if necessary, at the blog owner
Please do not abuse it, thanks
And the blog owner WILL not be responsible for comments by visitors except those of his own
All comments are subjected to moderation and publish upon determination, thanks
Thank You for your kind attention
Ko Po Hui