SINGAPORE – He saw his team control most of the game, but Geylang International still found themselves a goal behind with time running out against Warriors FC.

That was until Victor Coto popped up with his first goal for the club on 77 minutes to equalise for the visitors in the 1-1 draw at Choa Chu Kang Stadium, which head coach Hasrin Jailani felt was just reward for their efforts.

“In the first half, the game-plan was to press them in their own half and I think we did that very well,” he said after the game.

“In the second half, we didn’t start well and they were in control for the first 10 to 15 minutes.”

That was when Kento Fukuda broke the deadlock for the hosts, turning in Baihakki Khaizan’s flick-on off a Shahril Ishak free-kick from close range on 55 minutes.

The Warriors had hardly threatened before then, with the only incident of note being debutant Joel Tshibamba’s header coming off the post in the 35th minute.

The goal prompted Hasrin to adopt a more offensive approach as he sent on wingers Gabriel Quak and Amy Recha, while moving Shawal Anuar from the flank into a central position alongside Coto.

The latter move would prove to be an inspired one. Shawal saw a successful overhead kick on 73 minutes disallowed for offside in a controversial decision, before he turned provider four minutes later.

Doing superbly to win an aerial duel, his header was picked up by Coto, who turned his marker before lashing in his first Eagles goal.

“After the goal, we came back stronger when I changed Shawal into a more attacking position,” Hasrin explained.

“Shawal has a good spring, in terms of technique of jumping and even Baihakki had difficulty in handling him; he did very well and he deserved that (disallowed) goal, to be honest.

“We controlled much of the game and to be able to come back from 1-0 down, that shows good spirit.”

Coto was happy to finally open his account and the Costa Rican added: “It (the goal) gives me more confidence, of course… today, we could have scored more as we attacked most of the game.”

Warriors head coach Razif Onn acknowledged the draw was probably the correct outcome, even as his side failed to pick up a second win in as many games.

“They came back very strong in the last 20 to 30 minutes,” he said. “I think it’s very fair to them.”