Confident Cheetahs Take On Young Lions

Hougang United vs Garena Young Lions

(Saturday, 11 March, 7.30pm, Hougang Stadium)

Written by: Phoon Jia Hui

Hougang United will be gunning for all three points when they entertain Garena Young Lions at the Hougang Stadium in the Great Eastern-Hyundai S.League on Saturday night.

The Cheetahs opened their season with a victory over Geylang International but fell 2-1 to Tampines Rovers in their last game and will therefore be looking to return to winning ways here.

It was a disappointing result against the Stags, but Hougang forward Pablo Rodriguez says he is ‘looking forward’ to the game and is raring to go.

“We lost to Tampines but we are now back into action feeling confident and the spirit in the team has been good,” he said.

“We have been working hard in training during the week in preparation for the match. We are confident and ready to fight for the three points.

“As long as we do not make the same mistakes from our last game, I am sure we can get a win again.”

While he has an assist to his name when he set up Iqbal Hussain for Hougang’s second goal against Geylang, Rodriguez has yet to find the net for his club this season.

The Spanish is however, unfazed by that fact and is ready to bang in the goals to fire the side from the north-east to victory.

“I try to do my best in every game and although I haven’t scored yet, I am working on that aspect of my game,” he said.

“Of course, I hope that I can score in our next match and help my team to win.”

Meanwhile, Young Lions will continue the search for their first points of the season after suffering two straight losses to Home United and reigning league champions Albirex Niigata (S).

While it does not make for good reading, Young Lions captain Shahrin Saberin believes it is a matter of time before he and his team find their feet.

“Of course, it’s hard for the team to accept the defeats but the first two games were really an eye-opener for us,” admitted the 22-year-old.

“It gave us an opportunity to know where our weaknesses lie and we will continue to work hard.

“In the first two games, we were second best to almost everything. But to look at it in a positive way, we can take the negatives from the two matches and turn it to become a positive although it is going to be a gradual process.”

Against Hougang, a hopeful Shahrin is fancying his side’s chances and feels they have every chance of getting a result.

“As everyone knows, Hougang is a strong team with good foreign and local players,” he noted.

“They will be looking to bounce back from their defeat to Tampines so it’s gonna be interesting for sure. For us, we are still looking for our first three points of the season while Hougang are trying to get back the winning momentum.

“The ball is round and anything can happen but one can expect a more organised and a Young Lions side who will be playing with more desire.”

Hougang United – LLLWL

03/03/17    Tampines Rovers 2-1 Hougang United

27/02/17    Hougang United 2-0 Geylang International

25/10/16    Warriors FC 5-1 Hougang United

20/10/16    Hougang United 0-1 Geylang International

14/10/16    Albirex Niigata (S) 3-0 Hougang United

Garena Young Lions – LLLLL

04/03/17    Garena Young Lions 0-5 Albirex Niigata (S)

27/02/17    Home United 6-1 Garena Young Lions

15/10/16    Garena Young Lions 1-3 Tampines Rovers

30/09/16    Home United 5-2 Garena Young Lions

26/09/16    Brunei DPMM 5-3 Garena Young Lions

Head to Head (S.League)

23/09/16    Garena Young Lions 0-2 Hougang United

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