Written by: Shawn Lim

Garena Young Lions vs Geylang International

(Thursday, 18 August, 7.30pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)

Two teams with different objectives will meet on Thursday night when the Garena Young Lions welcome Geylang International to the Jalan Besar Stadium in a Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League match.

The Eagles are fresh off winning The New Paper League Cup 2016 Plate trophy and are seeking to end their season on a high by finishing in the top half of the league table, while the Young Lions are trying to find a way to climb off the foot of the table.

While the hosts have not won a league game since May, their first-half performance against current league leaders Albirex Niigata (S) the last time out will give Patrick Hesse’s young charges an additional boost for the remainder of the season.

The Young Lions fought bravely to hold the White Swans to a goalless draw at the end of the first period, but succumbed to a 4-0 defeat in the end after being reduced to 10 men.

For Young Lions defender Dhukilan Jeevamani and his teammates, there were a lot of positives taken from the defeat.

“It was a good first-half from us because we followed coach (Patrick) Hesse’s instructions and game plan, which was why we defended well,” explained Dhukilan.

“Now after the Albirex game, we know our abilities in terms of defending and we know what we need to improve on.

“We have to play all the remaining games like how we played against Albirex in the first 45 minutes, but this time doing it for the full game instead of just one half.”

Dhukilan will also face familiar foes on Thursday night as the ex-Eagles player faces his old team for the first time since leaving Bedok Stadium.

The Singapore national Under-21 player is relishing facing his old teammates, but warned the Eagles not to expect any favours from him.

“I’m looking forward to this game because Geylang is a special club to me as they are my first S.League club that I joined,” said Dhukilan.

“I progressed well enough in the Prime League to earn a spot in the S.League team this year which I am so ever grateful to the coaching staff and management team as they believed in my abilities when no one else did.

“Now that I have moved on to GYL, I would like to play my game on Thursday and show my abilities. It will be a win-win situation for both clubs if I do well.”

Shannon Stephen will sit out the game for the Young Lions after his red card against Albirex, while Firdaus Kasman and Khairul Amri are set for a spell on the sidelines.

Suspension: Shannon Stephen (Garena Young Lions)

Garena Young Lions – DLDLL

11/08/16  Albirex Niigata (S) 4-0 Garena Young Lions (S.League)

05/08/16  Garena Young Lions 1-3 Balestier Khalsa (S.League)

19/06/16  Garena Young Lions 1-1 Brunei DPMM (S.League)

14/06/16  Tampines Rovers 6-1 Garena Young Lions (S.League)

11/06/16  Garena Young Lions 2-2 Home United (S.League)

Geylang International – WWWLD

11/08/16  Geylang International 1-1 Brunei DPMM (S.League)

04/08/16  Tampines Rovers 2-1 Geylang International (S.League)

30/07/16  Hougang United 1-2 Geylang International (League Cup)

25/07/16  Geylang International 1-0 Warriors FC (League Cup)

22/07/16  Geylang International 1-0 Albirex Niigata (S) (League Cup)

Head to Head (S.League)

05/05/16  Geylang International 3-1 Garena Young Lions

25/02/16  Garena Young Lions 0-2 Geylang International

06/11/15  Courts Young Lions 2-2 Geylang International

04/10/15  Courts Young Lions 2-3 Geylang International

20/08/15  Geylang International 1-3 Courts Young Lions