By Kenneth Tan/Red Sports

Hougang Stadium, Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - League leaders Tampines Rovers extended their lead at the top of the S.League table to four points after a convincing 3-0 away win over strugglers Sengkang Punggol.

Both sides were looking to recover from defeats in their previous matches. Tampines were beaten at home by Geylang United 1-0 in the Eastern derby last Saturday while Sengkang were edged out with a similar scoreline by Balestier Khalsa at Toa Payoh Stadium.

It was Tampines who managed to prevail via an impressive 16-minute period in the second half where they scored three goals to seal the points.

Tampines lined up in a unorthodox 3-4-3 formation with Aleksandar Duric, Aliff Shafaein and Qiu Li leading the line while Sengkang started in a 4-5-1 formation with captain Nor Azli Yusoff moving into centre midfield and 19-year-old Guinean Mamadou Diallo playing as the lone forward.

The first half was a turgid one with both sides wasteful in possession and with opportunities few and between.

Veteran forward Aleksandar Duric could have given the Stags the perfect start with just one minute on the clock but he just failed to make contact at the far post after an Aliff Shafaein cross-shot from the left.

Sengkang had an opportunity to score on 27 minutes when Tampines centre back Benoit Croissant brought down forward Mamadou Diallo just outside the box. However full back Duncan Elias fired his free kick straight at Tampines' Prime League goalkeeper Ridhuan Bahrudin.

Tampines coach Vorawan Chitavanich decided to bring on speedy forward Khairul Amri on 52 minutes to accelerate the team's attack and the substitution proved to be an inspired one as he managed to score with his first touch just a minute later.

A Shukor Zailan free kick from the right saw Duric connect perfectly with a hanging header inside the box. The effort came right off the right-hand post before falling to an unmarked Khairul Amri inside the 6-yard box. With no immediate pressure from the Sengkang defenders, he managed to slot home a volley into the top left corner of the goal.

Tampines continued to adopt their attacking policy as they created another couple of opportunities after the goal.

On 57 minutes, Qiu Li's snapshot after a short corner from the right was palmed away by Sengkang goalie Fadhil Salim.

Two minutes later, Khairul Amri put in a teasing cross from the right that eluded everyone in the Sengkang box including Fadhil Salim. However substitute Jamil Ali was unable to capitalise as he volleyed wide of the left-hand post.

The pressure finally paid off as they managed to score two goals soon after.

On 61 minutes, an Imran Sahib through ball caught out the whole Sengkang defence and found Duric inside the box. With the opportunity to shoot, he unselfishly set up Qiu Li towards his left who managed to nip it past the onrushing Fadhil Salim into the middle of the goal.

Tampines managed to put the icing on the cake eight minutes later. Duric once again held off three Sengkang defenders on the left before crossing into the box for an unmarked Qiu Li who fired accurately into the bottom left corner of the goal.

Sengkang mustered their best efforts to launch a comeback thereafter but could not find the finishing touch.

On 77 minutes, Canadian winger Jordan Webb's curling effort at the edge of the penalty area was deflected by Croissant and dipped just over the top right corner of the goal.

Four minutes later, Murphy Wiredu headed wide of the left hand post after a Duncan Elias cross from the left.

Sengkang came the closest on 83 minutes when substitute Sobrie Mazelan was set up by Webb in a one-on-one opportunity with Ridhuan Bahrudin but Sobrie's effort was well denied by Ridhuan's legs.

Duric could have capped off his excellent performance on the night with a goal on 89 minutes but he screwed his shot wide of the right-hand post after turning well inside the Sengkang box.

The result meant Tampines now have 21 points from 10 games played, four points ahead of second-placed Etoile FC. Meanwhile Sengkang fell to their second successive defeat and remained in the second last position on the table with 10 points from 11 games, one point ahead of bottom-placed Woodlands Wellington and having played a game more.

Tampines next take on Balestier Khalsa at home on Wednesday, May 5th, while Sengkang visit Beijing Guoan Talent FC at Yishun Stadium on Saturday, May 8th.

Scorers
Khairul Amri 53'
Qiu Li 61', 69'