Geylang International vs Tanjong Pagar United

(19 August, Friday, 7.30pm, Bedok Stadium)

Written by:  Kenneth Ho

What was supposed to be a breakthrough season for Tanjong Pagar has turned into disaster, as last season’s top-six finishers have struggled all season this time round.

A host of injuries have denied Patrick Vallee the best starting eleven he has, and even though most are starting to recover from their respective ailments, it seems too little too late for the Jaguars especially since they now find themselves in the lower half of the table.

Vallee will be targeting to end the season on a high, but this will not be easy as this game against Geylang International will be played at Bedok Stadium. The complex is a bogey ground for the visitors, as they have failed to claim a single victory against Geylang at Bedok Stadium in 18 years.

Geylang will be fiercely determined to protect that illustrious record of theirs, and this game should be a tight affair.

Considering how Jorg Steinebrunner gave his team the hair-dryer treatment after they threw away a three-goal lead against Albirex Niigata in their last game, one can expect Geylang to tighten up considerably and play with caution in order to not incur the wrath of their coach once again.

Tanjong Pagar on the other hand, are again made to miss yet another player within the mix, as Firdays Idros serves a one-game suspension.

Suspension: Firdaus Idros (Tanjong Pagar)

Key Men To Watch

Geylang International: Ridhuan Muhammad

The team are surely down in the doldrums right now, after the epic collapse against Albirex Niigata in the last game. As captain of the squad, Ridhuan has a huge part to play in picking the lads up.

On the pitch, Ridhuan will need to lead by example to and ensure heads do not drop during matches as morale is sure to be low right now.

Tanjong Pagar United: Monsef Zerka

Barring any injuries, Zerka will start for Tanjong Pagar. The frontman has suffered a frustrating season so far, as he has been forced to lead the frontline on many occasions due to the injury problems Tanjong Pagar faces, despite playing better when he comes from deep.

However, if there is someone who can make things happen, coach Vallee will have you believe it is Zerka. It is time for him to repay the faith in him and help Tanjong Pagar break the unwanted record of never tasting victory against Geylang at Bedok Stadium.

Geylang International – LWWLL

28/8/14    Geylang International 3-4 Albirex Niigata (S)

25/8/14    Tanjong Pagar United 1-2 Geylang International

22/8/14    Woodlands Wellington 0-2 Geylang International

31/7/14    Geylang International 1-2 Balestier Khalsa

21/7/14    Geylang International (0) 0-0 (3P) Brunei DPMM (StarHub League Cup SF)

Tanjong Pagar United – LLWLL

30/8/14    Tanjong Pagar United 1-2 Brunei DPMM

25/8/14    Tanjong Pagar United 1-2 Geylang International

22/8/14    Tampines Rovers 0-1 Tanjong Pagar United

30/7/14    Tanjong Pagar United 1-2 Home United

25/7/14    Tanjong Pagar United 0-2 Brunei DPMM (StarHub League Cup Final)

Head to Head (S.League)

25/8/14    Tanjong Pagar United 1-2 Geylang International

1/5/14       Geylang International 1-1 Tanjong Pagar United

28/8/13    Tanjong Pagar United 1-1 Geylang International

23/4/13    Geylang International 2-1 Tanjong Pagar United

30/8/12    Geylang International 0-0 Tanjong Pagar United

29/3/12    Tanjong Pagar United 1-0 Geylang International

13/10/11  Geylang International 2-0 Tanjong Pagar United

1/7/11       Tanjong Pagar United 0-1 Geylang International

4/4/11       Geylang International 2-0 Tanjong Pagar United