Story and pictures by Koh Yizhe/Red Sports
A nervous moment for the Rams late in the second half as the ball bounces in front of goal. (Photo 1 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
Chua Chu Kang Stadium, Sunday, 22 March, 2009 - Woodlands Wellington came back from a two-goal deficit in the first half to subject Singapore Armed Forces FC to their first defeat of the 2009 S.League season. A brace from Jamil Ali and a goal from Mojtaba Tehranizadehc sealed a 3-2 comeback victory over the defending champions.
With the win, the Rams got their season back on track after a dismal start of just two points from four games.
Despite early pressure from Woodlands, it was former Rams star Park Tae Won who gave SAF FC the lead on 20 minutes when he tapped in a cross from the left. 14 minutes later, John Wilkinson doubled his team's lead with a superb volley that flew over the keeper.
With an SAFFC victory looking secure by half-time, Rams midfielder Jamil Ali shocked everyone when he pulled one back early in the second half, thanks to a lapse in concentration in the SAF FC backline. He was the spark in the Woodlands team as he ran at the champions defense all night and had a long range effort canon of the crossbar in the first half.
The champions then pushed to extend their lead, with captain Aleksandar Duric coming close with a header that was saved on the line by Woodlands custodian Rezal Hassan.
But it was Woodlands who scored next through Mojtaba Tehranizadehc who was left unmarked as he finished off a free kick by Rams skipper Azlan Alipahon the 70th minute mark.
With SAF FC showing nerves, the Rams pushed for a winner and were rewarded in the 79th minute when a scrambled clearance by Kenji Arai landed at the feet of Jamil Ali who swept it past the keeper.
The goal sealed Woodlands their first win of the season after five matches in emphatic style.
SAF FC will hope to bounce back against Albirex Niigata (S) on Thursday at the Chua Chu Kang Stadium while Woodlands Wellington face leaders Gombak United as they look for their second victory.
SAF FC were looking for their fifth straight victory coming into this match. (Photo 2 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
A Woodlands throw-in in the first half. (Photo 3 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
Daniel Bennett of SAF FC watches as a Woodlands player darts into the box… (Photo 4 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
…and makes a tackle just at the right moment to steal the ball away. (Photo 5 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
There wasn’t much to do up fornt, so SAF FC captain Aleksandar Duric (center) came back to defend… (Photo 6 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
…but Jamil Ali still manages to turn and shoot despite being surrounded. (Photo 7 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
Masahiro Fukasawa about to slide in with a tackle. (Photo 8 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
Clearing the ball in an acrobatic fashion. (Photo 9 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
Kenji Arai of SAF FC heading the ball to safty while Daniel Bennett looks on. (Photo 10 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
Aleksandar Duric has nowhere to go. He had a quiet game. (Photo 11 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
Ex-Rams player Park Tae Won looks on as the keeper collects the ball. (Photo 12 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
All eyes on the ball as it goes out of play. (Photo 13 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
Jamil Ali makes a darting run down the left… (Photo 14 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
…and goes on… (Photo 15 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
…until Daniel Bennett steps in… (Photo 16 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
…to clear the danger. (Photo 17 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
With his keeper down and the ball in fornt of goal, Daniel Hammond of Woodlands Wellington is the first to react… (Photo 18 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
…to knock the ball away and maintain the Woodlands lead. (Photo 19 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
The Rams defense got into each other’s way at times. (Photo 20 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
Park Tae Won had a great game for SAF FC as he was a constant threat to his former club’s backline. (Photo 21 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
Duric checking on Rezal Hassan after a mid-air collision. (Photo 22 © Koh Yizhe/Red Sports)
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