Irfan’s Injury-Time Header Seals Gritty Win For Relentless Stags

The Stags simply never give up.

A dramatic injury-time header from Irfan Najeeb saw BG Tampines Rovers edge Hougang United 2-1 at Our Tampines Hub - a result that keeps the Stags within striking distance of Singapore Premier League leaders Lion City Sailors.

The victory encapsulated everything this team stands for: resilience, belief, and unity. Coming off Thursday’s unforgettable 1-0 triumph over Pohang Steelers in the AFC Champions League Two, fatigue might have been expected to creep in. Instead, the Stags dug deep once again to deliver another memorable night for their fans.

Despite playing their third game in eight days, Head Coach Noh Rahman opted against making wholesale changes. Irfan Najeeb returned to the starting XI, while Taufik Suparno earned his first start since the win over Tanjong Pagar United - the club’s last league victory.

Bright Start, But A Frustrating First Half

Playing as the designated away team, the Stags began brightly and on the front foot, dominating possession and looking to exploit the pace of Trent Buhagiar and Takeshi Yoshimoto down the left flank.

Hougang, content to sit deep and strike on the counter, made life difficult for Tampines as the half wore on. It took until the half-hour mark for the “away” crowd to cheer when a poor clearance fell kindly to Shah Shahiran, whose guided effort toward the bottom corner was heroically cleared off the line.

The near miss sparked some urgency in the Stags, but the effects of a demanding schedule were visible. The “home” side -  buoyed by their own fans - began growing in confidence, even if they rarely troubled Syazwan Buhari.

When the whistle went for half-time, it came as a welcome pause - a much-needed chance for the Stags to regroup and reset.

Second Half: Goals, Setbacks, & Character

The second half began much like the first, with the Stags dictating play but struggling to find a breakthrough. The introduction of Faris Ramli added fresh energy and directness, his pace and movement stretching Hougang’s back line.

As Tampines pressed higher, Hide Higashikawa and Joel Chew both had efforts correctly ruled out for offside, while Glenn Kweh’s introduction midway through the half added further attacking impetus.

The breakthrough finally arrived through sheer persistence. Shah Shahiran, outstanding all evening long, split the defence with a pinpoint pass for Faris, who raced clear, and calmly slotted the ball past the onrushing keeper into the far corner - his first goal of the season.

The celebrations told the story - relief and joy for the Singapore international, who has battled back admirably from injury to reassert his influence on the squad.

However, that joy was short-lived. With only minutes remaining, Hougang struck back with a stunning effort that left Syazwan furious. It was a reminder of Hougang’s determination and a warning that the Stags still had work to do.

In response, Head Coach Noh Rahman turned to Jacob Mahler and Koya Kazama, hoping that their energy could tilt the game once more in Tampines’ favour as seven minutes of stoppage time were signalled.

Late Drama: Irfan Delivers For All 3 Points

And deliver they did.

Deep into added time, the Stags won a corner on the right. Koya Kazama, as precise as ever, whipped in a sumptuous delivery that found Irfan Najeeb rising highest in a packed box. The defender met it perfectly, his powerful header flying into the net to spark delirium among The Stand.

It was Irfan’s first goal of the season, a fitting reward for his tireless performance at both ends of the pitch. The assist was Koya’s sixth of the campaign, further underlining his creative influence and value to the team.

The final whistle was met with pure jubilation - relief, pride, and satisfaction in equal measure. For a team that has faced a punishing schedule, this was a win born out of sheer will and belief.

Post-Match Thoughts

“It was indeed a difficult three points,” reflected Head Coach Noh Rahman on the performance. “Three games in eight days wasn’t easy at all, but I’m proud that the team stayed together and pushed through.”

“The Pohang win was crucial for the ACL competition, but tonight’s game was a real test for us,” Noh added. “Were we going to maintain the standard we set in the ACL, or assume we could get three points easily? Hougang made it very difficult, and we had to really push ourselves for the win.”

With our next Singapore Premier League match coming only after the new year, he continued, “If we want to still be challenging for the title in May 2026, these are the matches we simply have to win.”

Game-winner Irfan Najeeb also weighed in,

“It was a moment of disbelief knowing I’d scored the winning goal, especially considering how important this game was. I’m just really happy I could contribute to the team and I’m eager to contribute more.”

“Credits to the team who pushed through,” he continued. “We all know that to compete in three competitions, we can’t drop our standards - even in training - especially with such a tight schedule.”

What’s Next

The victory keeps BG Tampines Rovers within touching distance of the league summit as they continue to balance domestic duties with their continental campaign. The Stags will next face Korean powerhouse Pohang Steelers in the reverse AFC Champions League Two fixture, aiming to carry this momentum forward and seal qualification from Group H.

The league takes a break until January 2026, with the Singapore Cup taking over in November. However, The Stags will not be involved in group play as they have been given a bye to the semi-finals along with Cup Holders, Lion City Sailors. 

As we continue into an exciting November, the message for The Stand is simple: “Of course, we appreciate the support,” said Coach Noh. “We hope the fans will continue coming in bigger numbers - their presence and energy really drive the team to perform.” 

See you in November, Come On You Mighty Stags!