On Saturday, 30 Aug 08, the Warriors staged a magnificent come from behind to defeat the Koreans’ Super Reds 2-1 at the Warriors’ Arena. The win put the Warriors back on top of the table, 2 points ahead of closest rivals, Home United and the Super Reds.

Fresh from their semi-finals defeat by the Warriors, the Koreans were understandingly in fiery mood for revenge. But, play was cautious in the opening stages with the Koreans showing slightly more urgency. Perhaps the Warriors were feeling the strains from their titanic matches against the Stags in the RHB Singapore Cup.

It was not surprisingly that they took the lead in the 36th minute when they capitalized on a half clearance from the Warriors’ defence. That goal jolted the Warriors but, tried as they did, the Koreans were impregnable and the first half ended with the Super Reds having an edge.

The Warriors came out of the 2nd half with more desire. Reverting to their usual 4-4-2 formation, the Warriors looked more comfortable and began to take control with Therdsak Chaiman and John Wilkinson impressive in midfield.

But, the Koreans proved a difficult side to play when they have numbers at the back. Sensing that the Koreans were contented to sit back and relied on a counterattacking game plan, Richard Bok made a tactical switch with just over 10 minutes left. Jamil Ali came in for Razaleigh Khalik as the Warriors threw more men into attack.

The substitution paid dividends almost immediately. In the 81st minute, a cross by John Wilkinson fro the right was met by Ashrin Sahriff at the near post. It deflected to the far post where a lurking Aleksandar Duric was on hand to head in the equaliser.

That goal shook the Koreans and they became jittery. The Warriors continued to press forward in search of the winning goal. It finally came in the 87th minute. Shaiful Esah sent in a perfect cross into the box from a free kick. The ball eluded the defenders but not John Wilkinson. The midfielder sneaked in to plant his header beyond the flailing arms of the Super Reds’ goalkeeper.

2-1 and the Warriors had taken the lead to send the fans into a frenzy. It was a well-deserved and magnificent come back by the Warriors and the win put them back at the top of the table with just 10 matches remaining.