Safuwan, seen tackling Western Sydney winger Labinot Haliti, scored his second goal for Melbourne City on Wednesday as his side lost to the Asian champions 3-2.
Singapore international Safuwan Baharudin says he intends to keep on scoring after netting his second goal in three games for Melbourne City in the A-League.
Playing as a left fullback, Safuwan grabbed the opener as City lost 3-2 at Asian champions Western Sydney Wanderers on Wednesday night, despite twice holding the lead.
But the game at Parramatta was another personal milestone for the 23-year-old import who produced a lively performance for John van't Schip's side. His 28th minute goal was a header from a corner and underlined Safuwan's attacking prowess from set pieces.
"The strength of my game has always been getting into the box and getting up for the corners and getting headers on goal," Safuwan said. "It's definitely not easy here in Australia physically and the boys are tall are good in the air.
"(But) that moment when the ball came into the area, I knew that I could get something out of it. Eventually it dropped right in front of me. There was no chance of me not hitting it on target."
After Aaron Mooy's corner was cleared by Western Sydney Wanderers, Mooy whipped in a cross that was headed on target by Melbourne City captain Patrick Kisnorbo. After a goalline clearance from Wanderers, Safuwan then made no mistake from close range.
Western Sydney's Matej Pollak equalised just before half-time before Mooy put Melbourne City ahead with a 71st minute freekick. But late strikes from Tomi Juric and Nikita Rukavytsya secured all three points for Tony Popovic's side.
Melbourne City remain one point outside the A-League top six, behind Brisbane Roar, but the Queensland side have two matches in hand.
City's next game is at home to last placed Newcastle Jets on Saturday where Safuwan will look to add to his goal tally.
"It's one thing to break into the first team but now I have another goal in the bag," he said.
"I've completed almost three 90 minutes of games back-to-back. It's an achievement for myself. But it's been hard for us -- we've been delivering good games but at the end of the day we don't produce the results. We just need to bounce back for the Newcastle Jets' game."
Safuwan is on a three-month loan spell at Melbourne City from Singapore's LionsXII. He is the first Singaporean to play and score in the A-League, having made his debut against Melbourne Victory on Feb. 7 and opening his goal account against Adelaide United on Feb. 27. In five matches, he has played in three different positions; all but one of them in the back four.
His second Melbourne City goal will improve his chances of extending his deal beyond this season. If City fail to make the A-League finals, their final regular season game is away to Adelaide United on April 25.
VIDEO | Safuwan Baharudin second goal for Melbourne City against Western Sydney Wanderers
Singapore international Safuwan Baharudin says he intends to keep on scoring after netting his second goal in three games for Melbourne City in the A-League.
Playing as a left fullback, Safuwan grabbed the opener as City lost 3-2 at Asian champions Western Sydney Wanderers on Wednesday night, despite twice holding the lead.
But the game at Parramatta was another personal milestone for the 23-year-old import who produced a lively performance for John van't Schip's side. His 28th minute goal was a header from a corner and underlined Safuwan's attacking prowess from set pieces.
"The strength of my game has always been getting into the box and getting up for the corners and getting headers on goal," Safuwan said. "It's definitely not easy here in Australia physically and the boys are tall are good in the air.
"(But) that moment when the ball came into the area, I knew that I could get something out of it. Eventually it dropped right in front of me. There was no chance of me not hitting it on target."
After Aaron Mooy's corner was cleared by Western Sydney Wanderers, Mooy whipped in a cross that was headed on target by Melbourne City captain Patrick Kisnorbo. After a goalline clearance from Wanderers, Safuwan then made no mistake from close range.
Western Sydney's Matej Pollak equalised just before half-time before Mooy put Melbourne City ahead with a 71st minute freekick. But late strikes from Tomi Juric and Nikita Rukavytsya secured all three points for Tony Popovic's side.
Melbourne City remain one point outside the A-League top six, behind Brisbane Roar, but the Queensland side have two matches in hand.
City's next game is at home to last placed Newcastle Jets on Saturday where Safuwan will look to add to his goal tally.
"It's one thing to break into the first team but now I have another goal in the bag," he said.
"I've completed almost three 90 minutes of games back-to-back. It's an achievement for myself. But it's been hard for us -- we've been delivering good games but at the end of the day we don't produce the results. We just need to bounce back for the Newcastle Jets' game."
Safuwan is on a three-month loan spell at Melbourne City from Singapore's LionsXII. He is the first Singaporean to play and score in the A-League, having made his debut against Melbourne Victory on Feb. 7 and opening his goal account against Adelaide United on Feb. 27. In five matches, he has played in three different positions; all but one of them in the back four.
His second Melbourne City goal will improve his chances of extending his deal beyond this season. If City fail to make the A-League finals, their final regular season game is away to Adelaide United on April 25.
VIDEO | Safuwan Baharudin second goal for Melbourne City against Western Sydney Wanderers
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