JOHOR FA 2
HOUGANG UNITED 1
HGFC Scorer: Azhar Sairudin 26 pen’
It was a feisty friendly encounter from both sides, however it was the Southern Tigers who emerged victorious in this friendly fixtures, winning 2-1 over the Cheetahs.
The game was being played on a windy Wednesday evening at the StadiumPerbadanan Pasir Gudang. The Cheetahs, with notable absentees, with Fadhil Salim away on international duty, and Nurhilmi Jasni.
Johor FA, with Muriel Orlando their only long term absentee, got onto a great start on six minutes. Ashadi Muhd Yusof got onto a free header from a corner, with Ridzuan Fatah totally stranded.
The Cheetahs almost equalized immediately after the goal. Fazli Jaffar latched on from a Fairoz Hasan pass, however, his shot struck the post.
However, the Cheetahs got their equalizer in the 26th minute. Mamadou Diallo, who was lively and troubling the Johor defenders all evening, was fouled by one of the defenders. Azhar Sairudin converted successfully the resulted spotkick.
However, the half ended, with Johor taking the lead again. On 42 minutes, a miscommunication between Igor Cerina and Ridzuan Fatah, caused the ball to bundle onto the path of Fandi. Fandi then pass the ball into the path of Muhd Shoufiq, who slotted the ball into the net.
The second half saw a much more committed Cheetah’s attack. Fairoz Hasan almost startling Johor’s custodian Muhd Syamim, however, his 35 yard thunderbolt went slightly wide off the right post.
However, the best chance came in the 62nd minute. Mamadou Diallo sent Azhar Sairudin clear, with the number 8 only had Muhd Syamim to beat, however, his slight poke went wide off the right hand post.
Both teams then had their decent chances, however, the home side hold on to ruthless counter attacks by Cheetahs and came out victorious.
