Written by: Ryan Low

Garena Young Lions vs Hougang United
(Friday, 23 September, 7.45pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)

Ambitious Hougang United will continue their chase for third spot when they take on bottom-placed side Garena Young Lions in Friday’s televised Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League clash at Jalan Besar Stadium.

A month ago in their last league fixture, they spurned an excellent opportunity to go third when they lost 2-1 to Brunei DPMM. The Cheetahs had led 1-0 at half time, but conceded two goals in quick succession just after the break to let slip all three points.

The result meant the North-east based side slipped all the way to sixth in the table, level on points with Home United and Geylang International but four behind DPMM, who are now in third.

With just five rounds of fixtures left to go, it is imperative that they do not drop any more points.

However, things have been made complicated by the injury situation in the Cheetahs camp.

They are currently facing a shortage of centre-backs, with Raihan Rahman suspended, Yusiskandar Yusop having a hamstring problem while Wahyudi Wahid and Delwinder Singh are already ruled out for the rest of the season.

Coach K Balagumaran may have to depend on the likes of M. Anumanthan and Faliq Sudhir to shore up the backline as they face a rather dangerous Young Lions attack.

Top scorer Fareez Farhan has recovered from a hamstring problem that caused him to miss the last three matches and may well pair up with national centurion Khairul Amri upfront.

Young Lions tactician Patrick Hesse will be able to call upon a strong squad, with the likes of Zharfan Rohaizad, Rusyaidi Salime and Gareth Low all returning unscathed after being away in Vietnam for the AFF Under-19 championship.

The local developmental outfit have had a tough year, winning just two out of 20 league matches, but will fancy their chances against a defensively-depleted Hougang side.

Interestingly, Hougang have only came out on top just twice in their last nine encounters in all competitions, so do not bet against the Young Lions from springing another surprise.

Suspension: Raihan Rahman (Hougang United)

Garena Young Lions – DLLLL
26/08/16  Warriors FC 5-2 Garena Young Lions (S.League)
18/08/16  Garena Young Lions 0-2 Geylang International (S.League)
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)

Hougang United – WLWWL 
26/08/16  Hougang United 1-2 Brunei DPMM (S.League)
17/08/16  Tampines Rovers 1-2 Hougang United (S.League)
12/08/16  Hougang United 4-2 Home United (S.League)
30/07/16  Hougang United 1-2 Geylang International (League Cup)
25/07/16  Hougang United 2-1 Balestier Khalsa (League Cup)

Head to Head (S.League)
19/05/16  Hougang United 1-1 Garena Young Lions
10/03/16  Garena Young Lions 1-3 Hougang United
01/10/15  Hougang United 2-2 Garena Young Lions
20/07/15  Garena Young Lions 1-3 Hougang United
02/03/15  Hougang United 1-1 Garena Young Lions