Written by: Shawn Lim

Hougang United vs Garena Young Lions
(Thursday, 19 May, 7.30pm, Hougang Stadium)

After a tough loss to Brunei DPMM last week, Hougang United will be eager to return to winning ways when they host the Garena Young Lions at Hougang Stadium on Thursday night,

Having fought back from two goals down against the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League defending champions in Brunei, the Cheetahs’ hearts were broken when the Wasps grabbed the winning goal eight minutes from time.

Now, K Balagumaran will have to rally his troops and ensure that they stop their three-games winless run after a good start to the season, where they sat at the summit at the end of round one.

The Cheetahs however, will have to be wary of a confident Garena Young Lions side after they ended their 10-game losing run by pulling of a surprising 3-1 defeat of nine-times S.League champions Warriors FC last week.

It was the first time the Young Lions had won a game since beating Balestier Khalsa at the start of season and the result will no doubt be a morale-booster for the young players.

M.Anumanthan and Wahyudi Wahid will miss the game for the Cheetahs because of suspension, while 2015 S.League Player of the Year Fumiya Kogure is out because of a hand injury.

Khairul Amri has gotten the much-needed game time after his long injury lay-off, but being stretched off during the Warriors game will mean that the veteran striker will most likely start on the bench for the Young Lions.

Marcus Wheeler and Ammirul Emmran are still doubtful, but might be named on the bench for Patrick Hesse’s side.

Suspensions: M.Anumanthan and Wahyudi Wahid (Hougang United)

Hougang United – WWLDL

14/05/16  Brunei DPMM 3-2 Hougang United (S.League)
04/05/16  Hougang United 1-1 Tampines Rovers (S.League)
29/04/16  Home United 3-2 Hougang United (S.League)
14/04/16  Warriors 0-1 Hougang United (S.League)
07/04/16  Hougang United 3-1 Geylang International (S.League)

Garena Young Lions – LLLLW

12/05/16  Garena Young Lions 3-1 Warriors FC (S.League)
05/05/16  Geylang International 3-1 Garena Young Lions (S.League)
28/04/16  Albirex Niigata (S) 3-0 Garena Young Lions (S.League)
21/04/16  Balestier Khalsa 2-0 Garena Young Lions (S.League)
08/04/16  Brunei DPMM 4-1 Garena Young Lions (S.League)

Head to Head (S.League)

10/03/16  Garena Young Lions 1-3 Hougang United
01/10/15  Hougang United 2-2 Courts Young Lions
20/07/15  Courts Young Lions 1-3 Hougang United
02/03/15  Hougang United 1-1 Courts Young Lions
18/10/14  Courts Young Lions 2-0 Hougang United