After a run of 10 consecutive misfortunes in the Great Eastern Yeo's S. League 2014 season, Harimau Muda asserted its first point of the season by sentencing Woodlands Wellington to a 1-0 annihilation.
The win plainly pleased Harimau coach Razip Ismail who was prepared for the worst and just hoped for at least a draw.
“We were going for a draw at least to claim our first point of the season and we did not expect the win, which is a bonus,” Razip happily stated.
“I am very happy tonight because finally we have gotten our first three points and I hope this is just the beginning.”
Razip was persuaded the win was not a coincidence and solidly expressed his team had showed up an exceptional effort and deservedly asserted maximum points.
Razip said, “We deserved it right from the first whistle because we had great determination.”
“Towards the final whistle we kept our composure so I am convinced to say that we were the better team throughout the game.”
“In the last season, we already won our second game. But this season, the win came very late.
“It was our persistence and belief which has helped us achieve this win.”
Woodlands coach, Darren Stewart was not seen throughout the post-match press conference, and rather sent assistant coach Hatta Ali to back him up.
Alluding to the match result as an 'surprise defeat', Hatta commended his adversaries for beating the Rams.
Hatta said, “My team played well, but that clearly was not good enough.”
“Credits to Harimau, they controlled the game so well and defended with discipline.”
Hatta likewise conceded that he was frustrated that the players were not ready to get an equalizer in the last quarter of the game.
“Every player worked very hard to clinch a goal in the last few minutes but Harimau’s defence was just too compact.”
“Sometimes you are unlucky in football and a deflected goal you concede changes everything,” Hatta concluded.
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