Written by: Shawn Lim
Garena Young Lions will mark their return to cup competitions after a two-year absence by hosting Ceres La Salle in the preliminary round of the 2016 RHB Singapore Cup at Jalan Besar Stadium on Sunday night.
The Young Lions last took part in the annual competition in 2013 when they still known as Courts Young Lions, and were unceremoniously dumped out at the first hurdle by Balestier Khalsa. The subsequent years saw them forgoing their participation to go on overseas training trips.
While the Young Lions are currently bottom of the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League, they are currently having a mini revival after going unbeaten for two consecutive games.
However, that may not be enough when they take on Ceres, who have far too much quality in the side and their status as the defending champions of the United Football League prove that they will not roll over for anyone easily.
The Filipino side are also showing that they are capable of challenging for honours on the international stage, having finished unbeaten in the group stage of the AFC Cup 2016 and qualifying for the last 16.
The Young Lions will most definitely be wary of Ceres striker Adriano Gallardo, who has found the back of the net eight times in seven matches in the AFC Cup this year.
Garena Young Lions – LLLWD
19/05/16 Hougang United 1-1 Young Lions (S.League)
12/05/16 Garena Young Lions 3-1 Warriors FC (S.League)
05/05/16 Geylang International 3-1 Garena Young Lions (S.League)
28/04/16 Albirex Niigata (S) 3-0 Garena Young Lions (S.League)
21/04/16 Balestier Khalsa 2-0 Garena Young Lions (S.League)
Ceres La Salle – LWWWL
24/05/16 Ceres La Salle 0-1 South China (AFC Cup)
18/05/16 Ceres La Salle 10-1 Agila (United Football League)
14/05/16 Ceres La Salle 6-0 Nomads (United Football League)
10/05/16 Ceres La Salle 5-0 Lt Sheikh Jamal Dhandmondi Club (AFC Cup)
30/04/16 Loyola Meralco Sparks FC 3-2 Ceres La Salle (United Football League)