Written by: Shawn Lim

Geylang International vs Home United

(Friday, 30 October, 7.30pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)

An in-form Home United will play a troubled Geylang International in the week’s “LIVE” match on Friday night at Jalan Besar Stadium.

The Protectors have not lost a match in the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League since May and have an outside chance of winning the title if they win all their remaining matches and results elsewhere favour them.

In contrast, the Eagles have had a rollercoaster season where they almost broke into the top five in the league before the SEA Games break, but find themselves stuck at the bottom of the table after a string of bad results.

Geylang coach Jorg Steinebrunner believes that his players are eager to get out of their current slump and are determined not to finish as wooden spoonist.

The German is still trying to place his fingers on the exact problem why his team of experienced personnel are struggling for form.

“Sometimes the players try to do right thing, but in doing so, they make mistakes. So you can’t fault them and they are all really sad about it,” said Steinebrunner after his side’s most recent loss to Albirex Niigata (S).

“No one in the team has finished last before, including myself. So this situation that we are in right now, we are all learning as we go along.”

Their opponents have no such issues however, with Home coach Philippe Aw claiming that the team spirit is at an all-time high in the Protectors’ dressing room.

“We have some experienced players and also some young boys. The young ones have an abundance of energy and the older ones have a strong mentality,” explained Aw.

“They didn’t clicked well earlier in the season, but everything is starting to fall into place and that means good results on the field.”

An improbable win for Geylang will see them climb off the foot of the table while three points for Home will continue to keep them in the title race.

Suspension: Song Uiyong (Home United)

Key Men To Watch

Geylang International: Kento Fukuda

The usually reliable centre-back looked out of sorts against Albirex and gave possession away cheaply, which resulted in the White Swans scoring their second goal.

Facing a Protectors side led by the red-hot Ken Ilso, the Japanese defender will have to rediscover the form that made him one of the best defenders in the league.

Home United: Ken Ilso

The Dane is quickly showing why he is one of the best strikers in the S.League, bursting into form just in time to help the Protectors climb the league table.

Ilso created one and scored a goal in Home’s 2-0 defeat of Balestier Khalsa after he was given a free reign to roam the pitch.

If the Eagles intend to keep the scoreline of this match down, they will have to keep a very tight leash on Ilso.

Geylang International – DLLLL

26/10/15  Albirex Niigata (S) 2-0 Geylang International (S.League)

20/10/15  Geylang International 1-4 Tampines Rovers (S.League)

16/10/15  Harimau Muda 2-0 Geylang International (S.League)

04/10/15  Courts Young Lions 2-3 Geylang International (S.League)

18/09/15  Balestier Khalsa 2-2 Geylang International (S.League)

Home United – WLDWW

26/10/15  Home United 2-0 Balestier Khalsa (S.League)

21/10/15  Home United 2-1 Warriors FC (S.League)

17/10/15  Brunei DPMM 4-4 Home United (S.League)

02/10/15  Brunei DPMM 3-2 Home United (Singapore Cup)

17/09/15  Hougang United 0-1 Home United (S.League)

Head to Head (S.League)

08/05/15  Home United 0-1 Geylang International

03/03/15  Geylang International 1-1 Home United

22/05/14  Geylang International 1-4 Home United

01/03/14  Home United 4-1 Geylang International

04/07/13  Home United 2-1 Geylang International