Nishido scores twice as Young Lions beat Hougang 2-0
The victory was Young Lions’ first in 11 matches across two seasons and moved them above Hougang into seventh in the Singapore Premier League.
Hisatoshi Nishido supplied both goals in Young Lions’ 2-0 victory over Hougang United at Bishan Stadium on Oct 31, lifting the developmental side off the bottom of the Singapore Premier League.
Young Lions now have three points and sit seventh in the eight-team competition. Hougang dropped to last with one point from six matches after suffering their fifth consecutive defeat. Young Lions had not won since beating Tanjong Pagar United 1-0 on April 10 last season.
A pass from Kai Whitmore set up Nishido’s fifth-minute opener. Receiving the ball on the right, the Japanese midfielder turned and bent a left-footed strike into the upper corner.
Hougang were denied an equaliser in the 56th minute when a video assistant referee review found Connor Flynn-Gillespie’s header offside. Eight minutes later, Miyu Sato missed a penalty awarded to Young Lions for a handball by Hougang captain Zulqarnaen Suzliman.
Nishido settled the contest in the 73rd minute, carrying the ball beyond three opponents and curling his finish past goalkeeper Takahiro Koga.
Coach Firdaus Kassim credited Young Lions’ ability to battle through difficult periods and said improved balance among his substitutes helped the team sustain its performance. Hougang coach Akbar Nawas acknowledged his own responsibility and said the club needed to assess its shortcomings and respond collectively.
Following the international break, Young Lions will play Tanjong Pagar on Nov 21. Hougang’s next fixture is against Tampines on Nov 22.
