Geylang International vs Hougang United

(April 11, Friday, 7.30pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)

Written by: Kenneth Ho

High flying Hougang United will take on a Geylang International side which has greatly improved over the past few weeks.

The Cheetahs will be coming into this game brimming with confidence, as they are buoyed by their sensational 4-2 win against reigning Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League champions Tampines Rovers in their previous match.

Their frontmen Geison Moura and Diego Gama have been firing on all cylinders, and are currently among the forerunners in the goalscoring charts of the league.

But, it will not be as easy as how Hougang will want it to be.

The Eagles have seen an upturn in its fortune following the appointment of Jorg Steinbrunner as head coach, especially in the defensive department. Having kept two clean sheets in three games since, Geylang will be making it difficult for Hougang to make a breakthrough.

The Cheetahs prefer to play without the ball at their feet. Instead, they prefer attacking crosses to fully capitalise on Gama and Moura’s heading ability.  However, Geylang defender  Kento Fukuda is a mean presence at the back, and he will more-often-than-not win challenges in the air.

Hougang defence will also be in for a tough time down the flanks. Muhammad Ridhuan has shown he still has got the pace to outrun most defenders, and if the Geylang skipper is provided space, he will be bound to punish his opponents.

Key men to watch

Geylang International: Leonel Felice

The striker has not been grabbing the headlines unlike his fellow strikers in the league, but this Argentinean has been effective thus far.

So far, he displays a lack of technical ability to take on his marker with the ball at his feet. However, Felice is strong in the air and he showed that he can release his teammates with simple flick-ons.

The striker has also a keen sense of positioning, which has aided him in grabbing some vital goals.

Hougang United: Geison Moura

The Brazilian has taken the league by storm with his flair and goalscoring exploits. Already adapting well to life in Singapore, Moura not only scores goals, but also creates them as well.

This striker has a never-say-die attitude, and displays willingness to track back and defend when needed. His tenacity in fighting for the ball even if his team is trailing is one reason why Hougang have staged many comebacks so far, and he will have a say in how Hougang fare this season.

Geylang International – WDWLL

3/4/14       Harimau Muda 0-3 Geylang International

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

Hougang United – WDLWW

5/4/14        Hougang United 4-2Tampines Rovers

27/3/14    Home United 2-2 Hougang United

20/3/14    Warriors FC 2-0 Hougang United

12/3/14    Hougang United 3-1 Albirex Niigata (S)

27/2/14    Tanjong Pagar United 1-2 Hougang United

Head to Head (S.League)

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

10/7/13    Hougang United 0-1 Geylang International

27/3/13    Geylang International 2-0 Hougang United

11/7/12    Geylang International 1-2 Hougang United

3/3/12       Hougang United 2-0 Geylang International

30/9/11    Geylang International 1-2 Hougang United

20/6/11    Hougang United 0-2 Geylang International

23/3/11    Geylang International 2-1 Hougang United