Harimau Muda vs Geylang International

(April 3, Thursday, 8.45pm, Pasir Gudang Stadium)

Written by: Muhammad Yazid

Rooted at the bottom of the table, Harimau Muda will be looking to bag their first points of the season this Thursday against a Geylang International side who similarly have not had the best of starts to this season’s Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League.

Having already incurred three losses in five games, Geylang will want to put an end to that, especially after their latest appointment of new head coach, ex-Woodlands Wellington tactician Jorg Steinebrunner.

The German did experience a reputable debut match as he managed to pull off a draw against Brunei DPMM, who are one of the favourites to win the league this season.

The Eagles can certainly climb their way up to mid-table if they start being consistent in their results, and the first step to that would be gaining maximum points against Harimau Muda, which seems like an achievable task.

For Harimau Muda on the other hand, as much as the Bedok-based side may seem to be favourites on paper, the Young Tigers have to start somewhere to gain their first point of the season at least, and six games in a row without a point is something very unhealthy for any team.

The Malaysian developmental side will welcome the return of captain Ashmawi Yakin and custodian Ramdhan Hamid from their two-match suspensions while Asri Mardzuki is still yet to pass a medical test after doctors detected irregular heartbeat in the 20-year old defender.

Key Men To Watch

Harimau Muda: Ramzi Haziq

A livewire in the Harimau Muda side, the winger was tormenting the Tampines Rovers defence in their last match, especially on the right with his speed and good control on the ball.

The number ‘nine’ is expected to exploit Jalal on the left side of Geylang’s defence, and it will be no surprise if Ramzi whips in a cross-shot which goes into goal.

Geylang International: Hafiz Nor

Snapped up from Tanjong Pagar United, the offensive-minded midfielder is known for his agile movements along the flanks which are hard to deal with. Give him the ball and he never fears to take on defenders despite his small physique.

On the goal-scoring charts with one goal, the winger is looking for more goals, or assists at least, to lift his team up from the bottom half of the table.

Harimau Muda – LLLLL

27/3/14      Tampines Rovers 3-2 Harimau Muda

23/3/14      Harimau Muda 0-3 Home United

12/3/14      Warriors FC 3-0 Harimau Muda

27/2/14      Albirex Niigata (S) 3-0 Harimau Muda

24/2/14      Harimau Muda 1-2 Tanjong Pagar United

Geylang International – DWLLL

28/3/14      Geylang International 1-1 Brunei DPMM

20/3/14      Geylang International 1-0 Courts Young Lions

16/3/14      Tampines Rovers 3-0 Geylang International

1/3/14        Home United 4-1 Geylang International

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

Head to Head (S.League)

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

26/6/13      Geylang International 2-0 Harimau Muda

10/3/13      Harimau Muda 1-4 Geylang International

24/10/12    Harimau Muda 3-1 Geylang International

3/5/12        Geylang International 0-2 Harimau Muda