Woodlands Wellington vs Hougang United

(September 18, Thursday, 7.30pm, Woodlands Stadium)

Written by: Muhammad Yazid

Woodlands Wellington welcome a dispirited Hougang United at the Woodlands stadium, after being winless for five games in a row.

The Rams’ most recent game was against cellar dwellers Harimau Muda, where the Young Tigers snatched a 1-1 draw after a late strike by Syafwan Syahlan, who cancelled out Andy Ahmad’s goal.

The Cheetahs on the other hand are on a run of poor form as they have lost three of their last four games, and in the process also yielded the coveted sixth spot to Balestier Khalsa due to goal difference.

That is certainly something no one expected, but how Hougang would react now in the final five games is anyone’s guess.

Currently flying high at the peak of the bottom half of the table with nine points ahead, two wins is enough for them to be secured with the seventh placed spot, and they can play their final three games as preparations for next season.

But for that to happen, their first milestone would be a win against Woodlands, who look to be putting a halt to their respective losing streak, after their draw against Harimau in the last game.

Hougang coach Amin Nasir has stated his intent to finish the season strongly, despite the disappointing finish to Round Two.

After dropping captain Fadhil Salim in his last game, Amin has shown that he is not afraid to wield the axe and make changes if his charges do not improve. Hence, the team should be highly motivated to play their best and convince their coach that they are good enough to start.

However, the coach will have to do without the services of Firman Hanif in defence, after the latter earned a suspension for an indirect red card against Harimau Muda.

It is worth noting that both teams have not won a game in over two months, and perhaps it is time for one to start racking up the points again.

Suspension: Firman Hanif (Hougang United)

Key Men To Watch

Woodlands Wellington: Andy Ahmad

He scored his first ever Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League goal against Harimau Muda in the 1-1 draw, and could have bagged a brace or even a hat-trick on that very match as he had two out of three shots on target (according to InStats).

However, luck was not on Andy’s side and the 24-year-old would be looking to possibly get onto the scoresheet once again, or at least provide support for the forwards this Thursday.

Hougang United: Fazli Jaffar

Fazli has been a livewire for the Cheetahs this season with his tormenting runs and the delicate crosses from the left flank.

His speed would be something the Woodlands defence has to be wary of, and the defensive pairing of Walid Lounis and Milos Jevtic will have their work cut out for them.

\Woodlands Wellington – DLLLL

30/8/14    Woodlands Wellington 1-1 Harimau Muda

26/8/14    Brunei DPMM 8-1 Woodlands Wellington

22/8/14    Woodlands Wellington 0-2 Geylang International

31/7/14    Woodlands Wellington 0-2 Tampines Rovers

17/7/14    Brunei DPMM 3-1 Woodlands Wellington (StarHub League Cup QF)

Hougang United – LLLDL

2/9/14      Hougang United 1-2 Harimau Muda

27/8/14    Balestier Khalsa 4-1 Hougang United

23/8/14    Courts Young Lions 2-1 Hougang United

3/8/14      Brunei DPMM 2-2 Hougang United

21/7/14    Tanjong Pagar United (4P) 0-0 (2) Hougang United (StarHub League Cup SF)

Head to Head (S.League)

15/5/14    Woodlands Wellington 1-1 Hougang United

22/2/14    Hougang United 2-2 Woodlands Wellington

26/6/13    Hougang United 0-1 Woodlands Wellington

15/3/13    Woodlands Wellington 0-0 Hougang United

1/9/12      Hougang United 2-2 Woodlands Wellington

30/3/12    Woodlands Wellington 1-3 Hougang United

15/7/11    Hougang United 2-3 Woodlands Wellington

5/5/11      Woodlands Wellington 1-4 Hougang United

14/2/11   Hougang United 1-0 Woodlands Wellington