Harimau Muda vs Courts Young Lions

(April 20, Sunday, 8.45pm, Pasir Gudang Stadium)

Written by: Muhammad Yazid

Rooted to the foot of the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League table, Harimau Muda welcome Courts Young Lions to the Pasir Gudang Stadium on Sunday evening as both teams go in search for their first win of the season.

After seven rounds of matches in the S.League, Harimau remain point-less having lost all their games so far while the Young Lions lie a spot above them with a solitary point after managing a draw against Woodlands Wellington in early March.

Coincidentally, both teams were thumped by Brunei DPMM by a five-goal margin most recently when they visited the Sultanate this month with Harimau losing 5-0 and the Young Lions, 6-1.

Among all the matches thus far, one still etched in the minds of the Young Tigers would be the defeat to reigning champions Tampines Rovers.

Having established a two-goal lead midway through the second-half, they allowed it to slip and suffered yet another defeat as they fell to late strikes from Noh Alam Shah, Miljan Mrdakovic and Roberto Martinez.

A tough midfield battle awaits as defensive midfielder Anumanthan Kumar will be given an important role in preventing Harimau from making penetrating passes, while the Malaysians will be trying to keep the ball around in midfield looking for space.

At stake here is not only three points which both sides desperately crave, but the pride of being the developmental side of Singapore and Malaysia. In essence, this is a match-up between the Causeway rivals and it should be a fiery affair as both sides try to show who have the better talent in football.

Key Men to Watch

Harimau Muda: Akhir Bahari

Harimau Muda has only scored three goals so far this season, and two of them have come from Akhir. The striker is Harimau’s current top-scorer and all eyes will be on him this Sunday to grab the goals.

Courts Young Lions: Sherif El-Masri

Not many teams step into the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium in Brunei and take the lead against Brunei DPMM, but Courts Young Lions did that last week thanks to their talismanic striker El-Masri.

The Canadian put his side in front in the 23rd minute before the opponents blitzed in six goals to send off Aide Iskandar’s side back to Singapore in disbelief.

His pace and dribbling skills has been a catalyst to his performance so far this season, together with his telepathic understanding with his compatriot Jordan Webb, which will be key in banging the goals in for the developmental side.

Harimau Muda – LLLLLL

11/4/14    Brunei DPMM 5-0 Harimau Muda

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

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

23/3/14    Warriors FC 3-0 Harimau Muda

Courts Young Lions – LLLLD

10/4/14   Courts Young Lions 1-2 Albirex Niigata (S)

6/4/14      Brunei DPMM 6-1 Courts Young Lions

26/3/14    Courts Young Lions 2-3 Tanjong Pagar United

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

13/3/14    Courts Young Lions 2-2 Woodlands Wellington

Head to Head (S.League)

27/10/13 Harimau Muda 0-3 Courts Young Lions

1/8/13      Courts Young Lions 1-2 Harimau Muda

13/4/13    Harimau Muda 2-1 Courts Young Lions

19/7/12    Courts Young Lions 1-0 Harimau Muda

25/3/12    Harimau Muda 3-1 Courts Young Lions