Harimau Muda continued their resurgence in the Great Eastern Yeo's S.League on Monday as they recorded a third straight victory after beating Geylang International 2-1 at the Hang Jebat Stadium.
Ridzuan Abdunloh fired the Malaysian outfit ahead from the penalty spot after nine minutes, before Akhir Bahari scored with a lovely lob to double their tally four minutes later.
Geylang captain Jozef Kaplan reduced the deficit on the stroke of half-time when he fired home a 20-yard free kick, but they were just unable to find the equaliser as their opponents held out for maximum points.
Although Harimau Muda remain in seventh place, the result means they are now level on points with fourth-placed Balestier Khalsa and are starting to find their feet after a slow start to 2015.
Having claimed an impressive 1-0 win over Home United last Friday, the Young Tigers entered the game high on confidence and got off to a dream start in the ninth minute when they were awarded a penalty after Yuki Ichikawa needlessly dragged down Syafwan Syahlan inside the box.
Ridzuan stepped up to the spot and although it was not the best of spot-kicks, he managed to get enough power on his effort to beat Yazid Yasin and open the scoring.
Four minutes later, another mistake by Ichikawa allowed the hosts to double their lead when he sent a clearance straight to Akhir, who did well to spot Yazid off his line and send a perfectly-weighted lob into the unguarded net.
The Eagles did try to muster some form of fightback but their opponents were showing plenty of spirit at the other end as well; Syawal Nordin racing back to clear Bruno Castanheira's header off the line a minute before the half-hour mark, before Ramdhan Hamid produced a smart stop to deny Tatsuro Inui in the 43rd minute.
Nonetheless, Geylang managed to level the score in first half stoppage time after being awarded a free kick on the edge of the box, which Kaplan took and sent a blistering effort into the top corner.
It seemed destined that Kaplan's goal would spark a second half revival from the visitors, yet they failed to show much improvement after the break and seemed desperately lacking in endeavour.
They did have a good chance in the 76th minute when Bruno's low cross broke to Shawal Anuar at the far post, but his powerful shot was brilliantly pushed wide by Ramdhan.
Inui then wasted another opportunity three minutes later when he completely scuffed his shot despite being unmarked at the far post, before Kaplan narrowly failed to find the target with a left-footed half volley on the edge of the box right at the death, allowing the Young Tigers to hold out for the win.
Speaking after the game, Harimau Muda coach Razip Ismail was effusive in his praise of his charges, saying: "Of course, I'm very happy with the result." Razip said. "For us to win three games in a row is very good indeed.
"I knew we needed to be mentally strong in the second half with Geylang looking to fight back and that's what I asked of the players. In the end, they managed to achieve that by working as a team."
Meanwhile, Geylang boss Jorg Steinebrunner was understandably frustrated at some of his players' lack of effort.
"In our past two defeats (to Albirex Niigata (S) and Brunei DPMM FC), perhaps there were some positives to take.
"But tonight, there were none -- the effort was just not good enough. It doesn't matter if you're a local or foreign player. If this continues, then I'll have no choice but to look at changing our players during the mid-season break."
Harimau Muda: Ramdhan Hamid, Ashmawi Yakin, Syawal Nordin, Annas Rahmat, Asri Mardzuki, Amirul Hisyam, D. Kenny Pallraj (Arif Anwar 78'), Akhir Bahari (Shahrul Igwan Samsudin 66'), Adam Nor Azlin, Ridzuan Abdunloh, Syafwan Syahlan (Wan Ahmad Amirzafran 90').
Geylang International: Yazid Yasin, Yuki Ichikawa, Hafiz Osman, Kento Fukuda, Anaz Hadee (Hafiz Nor 46'), Nor Azli Yusoff, Khairulnizam Jumahat (Shawal Anuar 74'), Syed Thaha, Tatsuro Inui, Bruno Castanheira, Jozef Kaplan.