Doumbouya tucking away his second of the night. (Photo:
SSC)
Talk about a dream debut.
On his first start for Etoile FC, new signing Aly Doumbouya
scored his first two goals to give his team a 3-0 win over Balestier Khalsa.
It was certainly a dream debut for this Frenchman and a
rather delighted Doumbouya said after the game, “I dedicate my goals to my
three kids in France and my teammates.”
Doumbouya just needed five minutes to open his account, as
he headed in a cross from teammate Wilson Grosset.
It knocked the stuffing’s out of a Balestier side, as the
early goal seemed to put a huge dent in their confidence.
Struggling to even string five passes together for a period
after the goal, the Tiger’s confidence were given another blow when captain
Paul Cunningham headed a K. Vikraman free kick over the post.
Unmarked and with all the time in the world, the missed
chance clearly affected the Kiwi as he screamed at himself in disgust.
It took awhile, but Salim Moin’s side slowly found their
confidence back as they gradually eased themselves back into the game.
The Tigers started the second half in positive fashion, but
their resistance would last less than 20 minutes as Doumbouya got his second in
the 63rd minute.
With the ball pinging around in the penalty box, an
unmarked Doumbouya sneaked in unnoticed and gleefully tucked the ball away for
his second of the night.
He could have bagged a hat trick had he not miss a glorious
one-on-one chance a minute earlier.
Hicham Bouchemlal then added the finishing touch as his 90th
minute low drive evaded Balestier custodian Joey Sim to give Etoile their third
goal of the night.
Though it may have been a heavy defeat, Balestier head
coach Salim Moin was not too disappointed. “Our defending and team organisation
was excellent. The early goal demoralised us but after that we played to the
game plan and created chances,” said Salim.