"We want goal! We want goal!" bellowed Geylang diehard Nashrudin Daud along with the 5,870-strong crowd at Jalan Besar Stadium as his team - with 10 minutes left in a fiercely contested 2009 Singapore Cup final against Bangkok Glass - attacked from a corner in an attempt to break the deadlock.
In a chaotic goalmouth scramble that ensued, a scuffed right-footed shot by Noor Ali was kindly deflected into the path of a lurking Hafiz Rahim, who then had the honour of blasting the ball into the net.
However, Nash's joy did not last long when his team conceded a penalty minutes later due to a clumsy foul by Jonathan Xu.
Yazid Yasin's shotstopping stunt then came to the fore as he dived to the right to keep out the penalty kick, triggering a wild celebration from Nash.
Looking back at the cup final that had left him physically and emotionally exhausted, the lifelong supporter - who has been backing the storied club since he was five years old - reflects: "It's a great, exciting end-to-end action for the whole match."
Also seated in the Geylang fan section that night was then five-year-old Terence Yip.
Joined by his father and grandfather, that final took on a personal significance as it was a cherished family bonding for the trio.
Recalling the historic final with vivid memory, Terence shares: "I remember that it was a pretty packed crowd and my dad, grandpa and I were very excited. Everyone was happy and the vibe was good. I recall telling them that Geylang would win that night because we came to watch them play."
His bold conviction in the result was vindicated as Geylang soaked up a late Bangkok Glass onslaught before sealing a precious 1-0 victory.
As the Eagles heroes paraded their first Singapore Cup trophy around the stadium while acknowledging the support of their fervent fans, tears streamed down his grandfather's cheek.
Terence explains that poignant moment: "My grandpa actually cried because it was one of his wishes come true to see Geylang lift the Singapore Cup. Having my dad and I around is a plus point for him.
"Till this day, I will never forget November 8, 2009," he shares with a tinge of nostalgia.
Ahead of a rematch with their Thai opponents (renamed as BG Pathum United in 2018) in the 2024 edition this Sunday (February 16), the Geylang fans are hoping club legend Noor - now a head coach of the one-time cup winners - could revive the spirit of 2009 by cajoling his players to repeat the heroics of Hafiz, Yazid, et al.
Without a point in Group B after a 5-4 defeat to Balestier Khalsa in their opening round, grabbing a victory in the upcoming match is more crucial than ever for the Eagles to have a chance of progressing from the 'Group of Death', which also includes cup holders Lion City Sailors and a plucky Tanjong Pagar United side.
But despite fielding a set of relatively youthful second stringers for the cup tournament, BG Pathum remains a force to be reckoned with, as evidenced from their come-from-behind win over Tanjong Pagar on February 2.
Still, hardcore supporters like Nash and Terence stuck to their unwavering faith on the fallen Singaporean giants.
"Nothing is impossible," stresses Terence. "Regroup, reset and bounce back."
Chiming in the conversation, Nash holds firm in his belief on Geylang's chances in progressing to the semi-finals via a top-two finish in Group B. "Take away lessons from the cup defeat to Balestier and the recent league draw with Albirex, and try to go on a winning cup run."
Reminding the struggling side on the Ultras Eagles' ever present support, Terence shares: "All UE will always be by your side, just like our chant 'Geylang Eagles in my heart, Ultras Eagles by my side'."
Team news: Geylang could be without as many as four players for Sunday's cup fixture due to injuries, with Rio Sakuma the latest to join the treatment room after being stretchered off during last week's game against Albirex.
Player to watch: Shakir Hamzah - With the potential absence of team captain Joshua Pereira and his deputy Rio Sakuma, the 32-year-old Singapore international - as one of the veterans in the side - has to bear leadership responsibilities for the BG Pathun clash and inspire his charges to upset the Thai powerhouse, which would put an end to their three-match winless streak.
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