Geylang International vs Garena Young Lions

(2 July, Sunday, 7.30pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)

Written by: Shawn Lim

Geylang International will play their second Great Eastern-Hyundai S.League match in the space of four days when they take on Garena Young Lions at Jalan Besar Stadium on Sunday night.

The Eagles came from behind to grind out a 1-1 draw against Tampines Rovers in their last game on Thursday night and will have to put aside their fatigue against a resurgent Young Lions side.

The Young Lions, who are still searching for their first win this season, have picked up two points on the trot after holding Balestier Khalsa and Warriors FC. They even came close to grabbing all three points at certain points during those games.

As such, Geylang caretaker coach Noor Ali believes that the Young Lions cannot be taken lightly and is wary of being the first team to concede a game to Richard Tardy’s charges.

“They have two draws and the pressure is on us because every time you play the Young Lions, you don’t know if you will be the first team that they can win three points against,” said the former Singapore international.

“They have shown more quality in their last two matches and they almost won as well, so it is not going to be an easy game.”

However, Noor Ali was keen to stress that the Eagles can beat the Young Lions and end their winless run in the league.

“I’m like coach (Richard) Tardy, he has 13 games and I have 3 games, but we are both still waiting for our first three points,” he said.

“I approach different games in different ways, but with the performance we have put up in our last two games, we should be able to get a positive result against Young Lions.”

Meanwhile, the Young Lions will go into the game on Sunday night boosted by their two consecutive clean sheets, having conceded 31 goals in 12 matches.

They will also welcome back playmaker Hami Syahin from suspension and will be keen to use his talent to find the back of the net.

However, captain Shahrin Saberin will miss out for the developmental side after being stretchered off against Warriors while Geylang have no injuries to be concerned about.

Geylang International – DWLDD

29/06/17  Tampines Rovers 1-1 Geylang International

21/06/17  Geylang International 4-4 Global Cebu FC (PHI) (Global win 3-2 on penalties) (RHB Singapore Cup)

16/06/17  Geylang International 0-2 Warriors FC

26/05/17  Balestier Khalsa 0-1 Geylang International

20/05/17  Geylang International 1-1 Hougang United

Garena Young Lions – DLLDD

28/06/17  Garena Young Lions 0-0 Warriors FC

22/06/17  Garena Young Lions 0-0 Balestier Khalsa

26/05/17  Albirex Niigata (S) 8-0 Garena Young Lions

21/05/17  Garena Young Lions 1-2 Home United

13/05/17  Garena Young Lions 0-0 Brunei DPMM

Head to Head (S.League)

15/04/17  Garena Young Lions 0-2 Geylang International

18/08/16  Garena Young Lions 0-2 Geylang International

05/05/16  Geylang International 3-1 Garena Young Lions

25/02/16  Garena Young Lions 0-2 Geylang International

06/11/15  Garena Young Lions 2-2 Geylang International