Warriors vs Geylang International

(February 23, Sunday, 7.30 pm, Choa Chu Kang Stadium)

Written by: Phoon Jia Hui

The two sides were evenly matched last season, but after a host of new signings, few can predict what the outcome of this match will be.

The Warriors have lost a string of strikers with Mislav Karoglan, Sufian Anuar and the experienced Erwan Gunawan leaving the club and this could end up hurting their chances of grabbing a win against the Eagles.

However, the club has moved quickly to snap up former Hougang United’s Thomas Beattie who can provide the ammunition, while counting on Singapore custodian Hassan Sunny to keep the visitors at bay.

Despite the personnel changes, skipper Daniel Bennett is confident that his team will be ready for the new season.

“It’s always hard when new players come in but we’ve got a good base of players who stayed as well so the adaptation shouldn’t be too difficult,” he said.

“We’ve been unfortunate with injuries so far but I’m hoping that everything will click and we will go into the new season with a full squad. It was difficult last season but I think we’ve got a better squad this season and we are going to do much better if we keep the boys fit.”

Geylang International have similarly been hit by the loss of star player Jozef Kaplan, while another of their most consistent performer, Delwinder Singh has also joined Courts Young Lions.

However, head coach Vedhamuthu Kanan has looked to South America to replace the loss of these players, and has snapped up Argentinians Franco Chivilo, Joaquin Lopez and Leonel Felice. Chivilo is an all rounder midifilder while the other two will be responsible for banging in the goals for the team.

Former Singapore international Ridhuan Muhammad has also joined the Eagles, and the winger’s bag of tricks will come in handy in unlocking defences.

In his second season in charge of Geylang, Kanan believes his squad this year possesses more experience and hopes to achieve a mid-table finish.

“Our team are relatively new, including our foreigners but we have a more experienced team as compared to last year. I think this team can do well if the players work hard and stay injury-free.”

“We finished below sixth last year but my target is still sixth this year. If we can finish higher it’s a bonus.”

Warriors – DLWLD

5/11/13            Warriors 1-1 Harimau Muda B

31/10/13          Courts Young Lions 2-1 Warriors

23/10/13          Warriors FC 3-2 Brunei DPMM

18/10/13          Geylang International 3-0 Warriors

25/9/13            Warriors FC 1-1 Hougang United

Geylang International – DWWWD

6/11/13            DPMM FC 2-2 Geylang International

29/10/13          Hougang United 1-4 Geylang International

24/10/13          Geylang International 1-0 Courts Young Lions

18/10/13          Geylang International 3-0 Warriors

26/9/13            Harimau Muda B 2-2 Geylang International

Head to Head (S.League)

18/10/13          Geylang International 3-0 Warriors

6/8/13             Warriors 0-0 Geylang International

16/3/13            Geylang International 0-3 Warriors

1/11/13            Geylang International 3-0 Warriors

10/5/12            Warriors 2-2 Geylang International

31/10/11          Geylang International 3-6 Warriors

19/5/11            Warriors 3-1 Geylang International

27/2/11            Geylang International 2-0 Warriors

Photo: Geylang International