Geylang International vs Woodlands Wellington

(October 3, Friday, 7.30pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)

Written by: Muhammad Yazid

In the week’s televised encounter, Geylang International and Woodlands Wellington lock horns at the Jalan Besar Stadium where they will be both looking to return to winning ways in the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League.

Woodlands have not tasted victory in a league game since July, with their last win coming against Warriors FC in a narrow 1-0 scoreline.

Ever since then, they have lost in all their league games and only secured draws against Home United (0-0) and Harimau Muda (1-1).

Thus, they should start recording positive results in their final few games before the end of the season so that they can secure a decent position in the bottom half of the table.

Geylang are on a two-game winless streak, having been held to a 1-1 draw by Tanjong Pagar United in their last game while Woodlands have only picked up one point from their last five and that came in a stalemate with bottom side Harimau Muda.

Woodlands in particular need to be wary of Geylang’s set-pieces. Mustaqim Manzur is absolutely a nightmare to deal with when he takes a dead ball. He can either go for goal, or provide a tantalising cross which Kento Fukuda, Yuki Ichikawa and Leonel Felice always look to get onto the end of to score a goal.

The Rams would be looking to put a halt to their winless streak and seemed to have prepared well over the break, having won Warriors FC 2-1 in a friendly game.

A win would be something difficult considering their past results as they have only managed to score two goals in the last five competitive games, but they should discard that off their minds and remain focused for the Geylang game.

The injury-stricken club now has Walid Lounis added in the ‘casualty list’ and may have to rely on second-string players to fill the shoes left by the injured players.

Key Men To Watch

Geylang International: Mustaqim Manzur

The dead-ball specialist will take on any corner-kicks and free-kicks with glee to pounce on Woodlands, and conceding fouls would be the last thing Woodlands would want to do against the Eagles.

That would not be the only prowess Mustaqim possesses up his sleeves, as his menacing runs down the flank would certainly keep the Woodlands defenders alert throughout the game.

Woodlands Wellington: Milos Jevtic

Jevtic seemed to be at ease at his new left-back position in the game against Hougang United last week with his equal involvement in both defence and attack.

The Serbian was constantly bulldozing his way to the final third in the left flank, but also at the same time dropping back deep to deny Hougang’s winger Nurhilmi Jasni any space.

Geylang International – DLWWL

19/9/14    Geylang International 1-1 Tanjong Pagar United

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

Woodlands Wellington – LDLLL

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

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

26/8/14    Brunei DPMM 8-1 Woodlands Wellington

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

31/7/14    Woodlands Wellington 0-2 Tampines Rovers

Head to Head (S.League)

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

26/4/14    Geylang International 1-1 Woodlands Wellington

23/8/13    Geylang International 1-2 Woodlands Wellington

18/4/13    Woodlands Wellington 0-0 Geylang International

21/6/12    Geylang International 1-1 Woodlands Wellington

19/2/12    Woodlands Wellington 3-1 Geylang International

18/10/11  Woodlands Wellington 1-2 Geylang International

27/6/11    Geylang International 1-0 Woodlands Wellington

13/4/11    Woodlands Wellington 2-2 Geylang International