Hougang United vs Harimau Muda

(October 4, Saturday, 7.30pm, Hougang Stadium)

Written by: Phoon Jia Hui

Hougang United will be looking to confirm seventh spot in the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League when they take on Harimau Muda at Hougang Stadium on Saturday evening.

Hougang sit seventh on 36 points and a victory here will see them finish there as it will be mathematically impossible for Geylang International to catch up with them with only three games remaining after this.

Both teams are on opposite ends in the bottom half of the standings as Harimau find themselves at the foot of the table, trailing Courts Young Lions by two points going into the final four matches of the season.

That said, Hougang are favourites to win this game as they look formidable on paper having a relatively strong squad this season which includes a whopping seven players who were part of the Singapore Selection side which narrowly lost 2-1 to Selangor Selection in Shah Alam exactly a week ago.

Goalkeeper Fadhil Salim – who captained the side – particularly impressed and was a commanding presence between the sticks as he pulled off a number of saves to keep the scoreline low.

Back to the league, the Cheetahs come into this on the back of a 3-0 win over Woodlands away from home.

They comfortably brushed the Rams aside with three goals thanks to a brace by Geison Moura coupled with a strike from Nurhilmi Jasni while Harimau could only afford a 1-all draw against the Rams on the contrary.

However, Hougang cannot take the threat of Harimau lightly having been on the wrong end of a 2-1 defeat by their opponents just last month which cost them a place in the top half of the table.

Hence, sheer resilience and determination in Harimau’s remaining four games may see them leapfrog Young Lions, and possibly even Woodlands Wellington.

The visitors will have to make do without the services of Qayyum Marjoni though, as he serves the second of his two match ban after his dismissal against Balestier Khalsa.

Suspension: Qayyum Marjoni (Harimau Muda)

Key Men To Watch

Hougang United: Wahyudi Wahid

Although he is not a natural defender by trade, Wahyudi has adapted well at centre-back and formed a telepathic understanding with both Igor Cerina and mid-season signing Igor Ferreira.

While he lacks the height as a defender, he makes it up with his jumping and excellent reading of the game and he will be looking to pull out all stops to try prevent Harimau from running rampant.

According to InStat, Wahyudi won 59% of his challenges in defense and was successful in half of the aerial challenges he was involved in against Balestier two games ago.

Harimau Muda: Ramzi Sufian

If Harimau ever needed goals, they need not look far as they have Ramzi Sufian who has the ability to do that.

With eight goals so far, the youngster is the leading scorer for the Young Tigers this season and he is always a threat upfront whenever he plays so Hougang will have to be wary of him.

Hougang United – WLLLD

18/9/14    Woodlands Wellington 0-3 Hougang United

2/9/14      Hougang United 1-2 Harimau Muda

27/8/14    Balestier Khalsa 4-1 Hougang United

23/8/14    Courts Young Lions 2-1 Hougang United

3/8/14      Brunei DPMM 2-2 Hougang United

Harimau Muda – LWDDL

5/9/14     Harimau Muda 1-5 Balestier Khalsa

2/9/14     Hougang United 1-2 Harimau Muda

30/8/14   Woodlands Wellington 1-1 Harimau Muda

3/8/14     Courts Young Lions 0-0 Harimau Muda

22/6/14   Harimau Muda 1-4 Brunei DPMM

Head to Head (S.League)

2/9/14      Hougang United 1-2 Harimau Muda

24/4/14    Harimau Muda 3-4 Hougang United

24/10/13 Hougang United 4-1 Harimau Muda

30/8/13    Harimau Muda 1-2 Hougang United

26/4/13    Hougang United 3-1 Harimau Muda

29/10/12  Hougang United 0-0 Harimau Muda

27/4/12    Harimau Muda 3-1 Hougang United