Singapore Premier League • April 1, 2014
Eagles to Soar in Pasir Gudang
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