Written by: Shawn Lim

Geylang International vs Warriors FC

(20 November, Friday, 7.30pm, Bedok Stadium)

Geylang International will welcome Warriors FC to Bedok Stadium on Friday night as both sides seek to end their season on a winning note.

The two clubs have failed to meet the lofty expectations that that they set for themselves at the start of the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League season – Geylang to be in the title race and Warriors to defend their title – but are keen to wrap up their campaign with three points.

The Eagles are currently on a four-match unbeaten run and have yet to lose a league game this month, while Warriors have only picked up one win in their past five matches.

Geylang coach Jorg Steinebrunner is also eager to pick up maximum points after watching his side gave up their lead in matches against Courts Young Lions and Hougang United to allow their opponents to come back and snatch a point.

“It’s frustrating because we have done a lot of things right..and you are falling behind to two incidents which shouldn’t happen,” said Steinebrunner after his side’s 2-2 draw with the Cheetahs.

“If we fall behind when we are doing things wrong, then that’s also frustrating..but then we have to blame ourselves.”

As for Warriors, the defending champions have had a turbulent time this year and will end their disappointing campaign with two different coaches after Karim Bencherifa replaced title-winning coach Alex Weaver mid-way through the season.

With Bencherifa having so little time on his hands to make any major changes, his players know will be playing for their future against the Eagles as the club looks to rebuild for next season.

In spite of all their struggles, Warriors currently possess the league’s second top goalscorer in Fazrul Nawaz, as the 30-year-old looks set to become the first ever local-born player to finish atop of the goalscoring charts.

Having to pick up the slack after talisman Nicolas Velez left Choa Chu Kang Stadium for greener pastures mid-way through the season, Fazrul has banged in the goods for Warriors.

A win for the Eagles will allow them to leapfrog Young Lions into eighth place while three points for the Warriors will see them remain in fifth place.

Key Men to Watch

Geylang International: Kento Fukuda

The Japanese centre-back is currently not in the best form of his career and will have his hands full dealing with both Miroslav Pejic and Fazrul on Friday night.

Fukuda will have to be on toes if he wants to help the Eagles keep their first clean sheet since May and claim all three points.

Warriors FC: Fazrul Nawaz

Fazrul will keen to jump right back into league action after less than impressive displays while on international duty for Singapore the past week.

Needing more than two goals to overtake Rafael Ramazotti at the top of the summit of the goalscorers table, the match against the Eagles will be the 30-year-old last chance to become the first local-born player to finish as top-scorer in the league.

Geylang International – LWWDD

09/11/15  Geylang International 2-2 Hougang United (S.League)

06/11/15  Courts Young Lions 2-2 Geylang International (S.League)

03/11/15  Geylang International 2-1 Brunei DPMM (S.League)

30/10/15  Geylang International 2-1 Home United (S.League)

26/10/15  Albirex Niigata (S) 2-0 Geylang International (S.League)

Warriors FC – LWLDL

06/11/15  Warriors FC 1-3 Brunei DPMM (S.League)

02/11/15  Tampines Rovers 0-0 Warriors FC (S.League)

30/10/15  Warriors FC 1-2 Albirex Niigata (S) (S.League)

26/10/15  Warriors FC 2-0 Hougang United (S.League)

21/10/15  Home United 2-1 Warriors FC (S.League)

Head To Head (S.League)

29/08/15  Warriors FC 1-1 Geylang International

02/05/15  Geylang International 3-1 Warriors FC

16/05/14  Geylang International 0-1 Warriors FC

23/02/14  Warriors FC 2-1 Geylang International

18/10/13  Geylang International 3-0 Warriors FC