Archive for the ‘Mustaqim Manzur’ Category
SINGAPORE: Former Balestier Khalsa star Norikazu Murakami steered SAFFC into the last eight of the 2008 RHB Singapore Cup, as the holders eliminated his old club 2-0 on Thursday night at Choa Chu Kang Stadium.
The reigning S.League and Singapore Cup champions were poor, in truth, and were lucky to go into the break 1-0 up after Murakami drilled a low shot past Balestier goalkeeper Daniel Ong in the 40th minute.
Substitute Mustaqim Manzur got the Warriors’ second goal deep into stoppage time. –
Channel News Asia
- In: AFC Cup | Ashrin Shariff | Home United | Jamil Ali | John Wilkinson | Mustaqim Manzur | SAFFC | Shahril Jantan
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SINGAPORE : New Radiant coach Gerd Zeise vowed not to leave Jalan Besar Stadium empty handed in their AFC Cup Group E clash with SAFFC on Wednesday night, and his men worked hard to eke out a 1-1 draw.
It looked as if they were heading for a defeat when John Wilkinson beat goalkeeper Aslam Raheem at the second attempt in the 27th minute.
But five minutes after the break, Akram Abdul Gani took a tumble just inside the box after a clumsy challenge from Mustaqim Manzur and Iraqi referee Kadhum Auda Lazim blew immediately for a penalty.
New Radiant skipper Assad Gani’s spot-kick was pushed away by Shahril Jantan, but the Maldives player headed home the rebound.
The S.League champions were awarded a penalty in stoppage time when Jamil Ali won a penalty but Ashrin Shariff blasted his attempt skywards.
In another match held in the Maldives, Home United beat Victory SC 3-1. –
Channel News Asia
- In: Hafiz Osman | Home United | Mustaqim Manzur | SAFFC | Shaiful Esah | Super Reds
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SINGAPORE : On a warm night at Yishun Stadium, the NTUC Income-Yeo’s S.League 2008 encounter between Super Reds and SAFFC certainly lived up to its pre-match billing as a clash of the heavyweights.
In a heart-stopping encounter, the Super Reds emerged triumphant with a stoppage time strike from captain Yun Bo Young, as the home crowd celebrated a 3-2 win.
It was Yun’s first goal of the season and his timing was immaculate, as the Korean outfit moved alongside second-placed SAFFC, just one point behind leaders Home United, who have a game in hand.
Champions SAFFC were fast out of the blocks and went into the lead when Mustaqim Manzur volleyed an Aleksandar Duric cross in the 17th minute.
Five minutes from the break, Super Reds’ Sin Hyun Ho coolly slotted home the equaliser from the penalty spot, after Hafiz Osman had brought down Seo Su Jong in the box.
The home side were well on top, looking dangerous every time they attacked and the pattern resumed after the break.
They went into the lead in the 59th minute off a volley from Moon Soon Ho, but SAFFC hit back when a cross by Shaiful Esah was turned into his own net by Kim Sang Eun.
The stage was set for the dramatic late finish by the Koreans, who ended the Warriors’ perfect start to the season.
Said their elated coach, Jeon Kyeong Joon, after the match: “I have watched every game the Warriors have played and I decided to tighten the defence and the midfield as it was their attack that needed watching the most.
“I am so happy it worked.”
Said his vanquished counterpart, Richard Bok: “At least we now no longer have the pressure of maintaining our winning streak.” –
Channel News Asia
SINGAPORE : A goal midway through the first-half from Mustaqim Manzur and a second-half hat-trick from Aleksandar Duric gave SAFFC their eighth win from as many NTUC Income-Yeo’s S.League 2008 matches.
The 4-0 thumping of the Young Lions at Choa Chu Kang Stadium also saw the Warriors reclaim the lead at the top of the table while setting a new record for the best start to a season, eclipsing their own mark of seven wins in 2002.
It took half an hour for the Warriors to break down the Young Lions, with Mustaqim finding the top right corner of the net after an exchange of passes with Therdsak Chaiman.
Masahiro Fukasawa got in behind the defence in the 70th minute and found Duric for a tap-in, and the big man raced onto a Therdsak pass six minutes later to make it 3-0. Duric rounded it off in the 79th heading in from a Therdsak corner.
Coach Richard Bok was pleased with the performance, but he already has one eye on Sunday’s clash with the Super Reds.
He said: “We held the ball too long at times in the first half, but we released it much quicker in the second.
“We can now rest 48 hours before the Super Reds game on Sunday and there were only minor knocks to our players.” –
Channel News Asia
SINGAPORE : SAFFC defeated Balestier Khalsa 2-0 in Sunday night’s NTUC Income Yeo’s S.League 2008 match at Toa Payoh Stadium to return to the top the table.
The Warriors have 21 points from seven games. The Super Reds are level on points, but have played a game more and trail on goal difference.
Balestier could have punished SAFFC early on for some lethargic defending, but Tigers’ front man Paul Bekombo Ekollo was unable to make the most of two clear-cut chances in the tenth and 25th minutes.
The introduction of Mustaqim Manzur at half time by SAFFC and a more focussed effort after the break proved the catalyst for the win.
A nice back-heel from Jamal Ali allowed Masahiro Fukasawa to cross cleverly for Aleksandar Duric to head home in the 48th and an even better cross from Therdsak Chaiman, again from the left, saw Warriors’ defender Kenji Arai sent a glancing header past Daniel Ong Sy Kae in the 67th minute.
“They made it hard for us, just as all the teams we play are doing at the moment,” said Warriors’ coach Richard Bok.
Balestier coach, Nasaruddin Abdul Jalil, rued his side’s missed chances.
“We lack the experience and the composure to put those chances away, but the boys did well against the best team in the league,” he said. –
Channel News Asia
SINGAPORE : Defending champions SAFFC beat Tampines Rovers 2-1 on Friday night at the Jalan Besar Stadium to maintain their perfect start to the season and move back on top of the NTUC Income-Yeo’s S.League 2008 standings.
SAFFC and the Super Reds are level on points, but the Koreans trail due to an inferior goal difference.
A lot was at stake in Friday night’s clash, and it showed in the cautious approach by the longstanding rivals in a goalless first half.
It all changed after the break, as both teams began to show a commitment to attack. The Warriors opened the scoring through a penalty in the 69th minute.
Midfielder Mustaqim Manzur wriggled his way into the box only to be upended by Tampines skipper Rafi Ali and referee S Kumar pointed immediately to the spot.
Thai ace Therdsak Chaiman made no mistake with the penalty.
Eight minutes later, Rafi made amends for his earlier mistake when he powered a header off Sutee Suksomkit’s well-directed corner past a hapless Shahril Jantan.
With the clock winding down, SAFFC hit the winner when another Mustaqim run into the box ended with the midfielder firing home six minutes from time.
Skipper Rafi felt hard done by the penalty awarded against him.
“I felt that it was more of a 50-50 call,” he said, after the game. “Some referees would have given it, some wouldn’t have blown for it. So we were just unfortunate on the day.”
SAFFC coach Richard Bok did not comment on S Kumar’s call, especially after seeing his side put in another solid performance at the back.
“We’ll take the three points,” said Bok.
“Both defences did their jobs well in the first half. I was very satisfied that all the hard work had been done earlier in the game, which set us up for a good second-half.” – TODAY
Channel News Asia
SINGAPORE : Defending champions SAFFC beat Sengkang Punggol 3-0 at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Friday to extend their perfect start to the season.
First-half goals from Masahiro Fukasawa, Aleksandar Duric and Jamil Ali gave the Warriors their third win of the season.
SAFFC had come into this match on the back of a 3-1 defeat of Geylang United three days ago, and the draining nature of that match showed as coach Richard Bok made two changes to his starting eleven.
Jamil Ali was given the nod ahead of Mustaqim Manzur for a place on the wing, while Razaleigh Khalik started at rightback ahead of Hafiz Osman, who had looked off-colour in the Warriors’ earlier matches.
Jamil gave an early glimpse of what he could offer inside seven minutes, ghosting into the box from the left and fashioning a warning shot out of nothing.
The 24-year-old almost had a chance to try again six minutes later but for a last-ditch tackle, while Masahiro Fukasawa later missed an ambitious shot from 30 yards after receiving a long pass from Daniel Bennett.
For the most part, however, the Warriors hardly looked keen on exerting themselves on a sapping Jalan Besar pitch, least of all on their third game on this ground in twelve days.
Sengkang in contrast tried to use their enthusiasm to make up for the gap in quality, and Razali Johari could have fired his team ahead on 22 minutes but for Shahril Jantan’s stop. – CNA/ch
Channel News Asia
SINGAPORE : It was supposed to be a night to celebrate local football.
And for a long time in the 2007 RHB Singapore Cup Final on Sunday night, newly-crowned S.League champions SAFFC and Tampines Rovers served up a great helping of attacking football.
In the end, the Warriors crowned a fantastic year with a stunning come-from-behind 4-3 victory to land the double, but an ugly fracas soured proceedings and ensured a sorry end to the football year.
In injury-time, Tampines’ Singapore international striker Noh Alam Shah and SAFFC’s Daniel Bennett came together and while both ended up on the floor, the challenge seemed innocuous enough.
But a shocking red mist descended on Alam Shah and he aimed a vicious punch at his international team-mate. As if that wasn’t enough, ex-Lion and veteran midfielder Rafi Ali joined in the fracas.
Referee Abas Daud sent Alam Shah off but the 27-year-old’s rage continued on the touchline and team-mates had to restrain him and haul the star off the pitch.
Bennett later couldn’t remember anything from the game and was heard asking team-mates who had won and what the winners’ medal around his neck was.
Followed closely behind by his wife, the Singapore vice-captain was sent to Mt Alvernia Hospital for observation.
Alam Shah was later seen crying by the sidelines, clearly distraught.
Tampines coach Vorawan Chitavanich apologised to his SAFFC counterpart Richard Bok immediately after the game and the Thai said: “The pressure perhaps got to Alam Shah and he went over the line today. I apologise for that. I think the pressure got to the players. Alam Shah and Bennett always give 100 per cent in every game, for both club and country.”
After the game, the Tampines dressing room was deadly quiet as players sat around with their heads hung low. Looking despondent, Tampines chairman Teo Hock Seng refused to speak to reporters.
An announcement of any disciplinary action would have to wait, according to Football Association of Singapore officials.
A spokesman said: “We have to wait for the referee’s report before any action can be taken.”
It had all started so well for Alam Shah and the Stags at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
The striker put his side ahead after just six minutes with a cool lob over keeper Shahril Jantan, but SAFFC’s Thai star Therdsak Chaiman drew the teams level with a free-kick special 12 minutes later.
Tampines’ lead was restored just five minutes later when Ridhuan Muhammad latched on to a superb Peres de Oliviera pass to slot home.
SAFFC midfielder Mustaqim Manzur drew the tie level once again when he capitalised on a Rezal Hassan mistake, but Peres sent Tampines into the break 3-2 up when he fired home a rebound off Shahril.
A flowing counter-attacking move in the 63rd minute saw Player of the Year Aleksandar Duric bundle the ball over the line for the equaliser and 10 minutes from time, his header completed the comeback and sealed the double for SAFFC.
The strike saw Duric move to 44 goals for the season, overtaking Tampines’ Mirko Grabovac for the most goals in one season.
For Bok, the win was marred by Alam Shah’s madness. He said: “I didn’t see what happened. I was too far away. I’m just concerned how Alam Shah is. He is normally not like this. It’s a sad end to what was a fantastic match where both teams were playing very entertaining football.
“We came back three times and won the game. The team showed real character and determination today. In fact, I think it’s the best final in recent years.” –
Channel News Asia
SINGAPORE : Singapore Armed Forces FC beat Tampines Rovers FC 4-3 to clinch the RHB Singapore Cup on Sunday night.
The win completes a clean sweep for the Warriors who also won the COE Challenge Cup, NTUC Income-YEO’S Prime League and NTUC Income-YEO’S S.League this season.
Tampines Rovers’ Noh Alam Shah opened the scoring just six minutes into the match.
But the Warriors quickly recovered with Therdsak Chaiman levelling the score in the 18th minute.
Five minutes later, the Stags took the lead to 2-1 after Ridhuan Muhamad ran into the box unchecked to slam the ball home.
Again, the Warriors equalised through Mustaqim Manzur in the 26th minute.
Six minutes before the break, Sutee Suksomkit found Peres at the edge of the box and the Brazilian rounded Shahril before scoring to make it 3-2.
Aleksandar Duric scored two goals in the second half to seal victory for the Warriors.
Alam Shah was sent off in stoppage time for violent conduct, kneeing Daniel Bennett in the chest inside the SAFFC penalty area. – CNA/de
Channel News Asia
SINGAPORE : Defending S.League champions SAAFC booked their place in the 2007 RHB Singapore Cup Final after they beat Woodlands Wellington 5-3 in the second leg of their semi-final on Friday night at Choa Chu Kang Stadium.
The Warriors moved into their first Cup final since 1999 on a 7-4 aggregate and will face defending champions Tampines Rovers in the final.
Aiming to overturn SAFFC’s 2-1 advantage from Tuesday’s first-leg at Woodlands Stadium, the Rams got off to the worst possible start on Friday.
The home side – who have won every single league and cup game played on their home ground this season – opened the scoring after just four minutes when ex-Woodlands midfielder John Wilkinson curled in a beautiful free-kick from 30 metres out.
What followed was a flurry of goals. The Warriors’ doubled their lead in the 33rd minute when Shaiful Esah’s free-kick from the right side of Woodland’s penalty box was glanced in at the near post by Ashrin Shariff.
The Rams pulled a goal back two minutes later through Laakkad Abdelhadi, but that only served to spur the home side on.
Therdsak Chaiman capitalised on a fumble by Woodlands keeper Fadhil Salim after 37 minutes to make it 3-1 and Shaiful’s free-kick sailed over Fadhil in first-half injury time to make the score 4-1.
Eight minutes after the restart, SAFFC extended their lead when striker Aleksandar Duric got the ball away to Mustaqim Manzur, and the midfielder, who was later named man of the match, lifted the ball high into the net.
Woodlands regrouped and mounted a comeback with Laakkad getting his second through a 62nd-minute penalty and Park Tae Won narrowed the deficit further with a shot that went in off the left upright in the 85th min.
The one blight on the night for SAFFC was Hafiz Osman’s sending off in the dying minutes of the game, which means the defender will miss the final.
Captain Mohd Noor Ali will also sit out the final after he picked up a red card in the first-leg of the semi-final.
SAFFC coach Richard Bok was a happy man. “We tired towards the end but it was a good team performance,” he said, after the game. “Everyone stuck to the plan and after playing on the heavy pitch at Woodlands we managed to last the distance well, I thought.”
Woodlands coach Jorg Steinebrunner blamed individual defensive errors for the defeat.
“We played some good football but we did not match them physically,” he said.
“We defended very badly against the set-pieces and we needed to use our heads as well as our feet to be competitive.” – TODAY
Channel News Asia
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