It all seemed to start well for the favourites Sailors; who went 1-0 up thanks to an opportunistic rebound finish from newly-minted Singapore international Song Ui-Young. News filtered through that Tanjong Pagar had taken a shock lead against Albirex; so everything was going hunky-dory.
However; in the space of a few minutes; it all seemed to go pear-shaped for the Sailors. First; their star defender Hariss Harun was forced off through injury; then suddenly Aidil Johari stole in in the area to equalise sensationally for Balestier. And news even came through that Kiyoshiro Tsuboi had scored twice to turn the game around for Albirex in the other game. At this rate; it would be the Japanese side who would take the title.
Credit to Lion City though; as they stayed calm and continued to play their football. Just before half-time; a floated cross from the impressive Aqhari Abdullah was inexplicably spillled by Balestier custodian Zach Leong; leaving the in-form Gabriel Quak to score into the roof of the net.
With things still on a knife-edge; word came through that Tsuboi had unbelievably scored two more on the stroke of half-time to push Albirex's lead to 4-1 in the other match. They would need three more in the second half to clinch the title.
Tanjong Pagar though; are no push-overs these days and came back to 4-2 midway through the second half. Albirex though seemed to have scored a fifth before it was dramatically ruled out for a foul; before Tanjong Pagar unbelievably came back to draw 4-4 near the death. Back at the Jalan Besar Stadium; the Sailors stamped their authority with further goals from star signing Diego Lopes (who did a diving header from Faris Ramli's lovely cross) and Quak again; who steered home after another mistake in the Balestier defence. In the end; not even the red card for Sailors substitute Adam Swandi could put a dampener on proceedings.
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