In their third pre-season friendly, Gombak United managed to eke out a narrow 1-0 win in what was a scrappy match against the Eagles of Geylang United at the Jurong West Stadium.
It was also the only friendly that managed to survive throughout the full 90 minutes without any stoppages, excluding the half-time break, despite streaks of lightning spotted and a heavy bout of rain that hit the pitch shortly after kick off. The other friendlies at Clementi, Woodlands as well as the one at Bishan were called off due to inclement weather.
The game got off to a slow start as both sides tried to familiarize themselves, considering this was the first pre-season friendly to be held at Jurong West. This game also saw new signing for Gombak, Nigerian striker George Ekeh, making his debut for the Bulls. According to team manager Peter Dhanaraj, George just arrived in Singapore less than a week ago, and his lack of match fitness was clearly showing as he struggled to reach balls that were not played to his feet. However, he made up for his lack of match fitness with his physical strength, constantly outmuscling the Geylang defenders.
On show for the Eagles was new signing, Jozef Kaplan, who started in the middle of the park and had a decent game. Ex-Etoile player, Andrea Damiani, also featured for the Eagles as he is believed to be on trial with the Bedok-based club, along with a couple of other foreigners.
The ball having spent most of its time in midfield, it was no wonder both teams struggled to create any clear chances. That would change though, when ex-Tiger K Vikraman fired Gombak into the lead. Finding himself on the edge of the six-yard box totally unmarked, he unleashed a powerful shot that the Geylang goalkeeper could not get a hand to. That goal seemed to ease the pressure off the Bulls a little as the hosts took a narrow one –goal lead into the break.
The second half resumed and other than an acrobatic save that Geylang goalkeeper Yazid Yasin had to make, it was a drab affair as Gombak United clung on to the victory and returned to winning ways after suffering a 0-1 defeat against Woodlands Wellington last Saturday.