CHEETAHS PREVAIL IN BATTLE OF BIG CATS

10-man Hougang beat Tanjong Pagar 3-2 to give interim coach Pannarai his Ist win

- David Lee Senior Sports Correspondent

Hougang United's Farhan Zulkifli wheeling away after scoring the opening goal in their 3-2 Singapore Cup group win over Tanjong Pagar United, whose goalkeeper Kenji Rusydi and Faizal Roslan look on in disappointment.

(PHOTO: FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE)

On a muggy night, Hougang United’s Thai contingent and a dash of Singaporean spice proved too hot to handle as they kicked off their Singapore Cup campaign with an entertaining 3-2 win over Tanjong Pagar United at the Jurong East Stadium on Nov 7.

That, despite playing with a numerical disadvantage for the third time this season.

Cheetahs’ new interim head coach Pannarai Pansiri said: “I’m very proud of all the players, not just the Thais, but also the other imports and local players.

“We showed good discipline after going down to 10 men, and everyone showed passion and fought hard. We tried to get more possession and, when we were defending, everyone was behind the ball and patient to go for the counterattack.

“I want everyone to play good football and put in a lot of effort to try and play entertaining football to attract more supporters.”

This was the 28-year-old Thai’s second game in charge of Hougang, after replacing Robert Eziakor for the late 2-1 Singapore Premier League (SPL) defeat by BG Tampines Rovers on Oct 27.