Written by: Shawn Lim

 

RHB Singapore Cup (Quarter-Finals 2nd Leg)

 

Geylang International vs Albirex Niigata (S)

(Friday, 1 July, 8pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)

Keeping things tight at the back will be paramount for Geylang International when they try to overturn a two-goal deficit against Albirex Niigata (S) in the 2016 RHB Singapore Cup quarter-final second-leg on Friday night.

The Eagles conceded just 12 seconds into the game on Tuesday night at Jurong East Stadium, before falling to a second goal minutes after the restart because of poor defending at set-pieces.

While Geylang had their fair share of possession, they failed to carve out any meaningful opportunities to reduce the deficit and get back into the game, which they will be to address before the second-leg

Coach Hasrin Jailani also threw on new signing Mark Hartmann with 28 minutes to go and the Filipino didn’t look out of place, considering that he had just recovered from an injury and was still short of match fitness.

“When Mark (Hartmann) and Sahil (Suhaimi) came in they changed things a lot in terms of attacking,” Hasrin explained after the loss to the White Swans.

“Hartmann was not supposed to go in early but the situation in the game made me do that. I felt very happy for him to get some game time.

“You can see he’s a player who can contribute something to the team with the quality he has. He gives me a good selection headache; I think we can play two upfront right now.”

For Albirex coach Naoki Nauro, the tactician is urging his side to treat the second-leg just like any normal game and to have the mentality to go for the win to kill off the tie.

The Japanese also revealed that he will retain the starting lineup for the second-leg, but might make minor changes, hinting that key players like Tatsuro Inui and Atsushi Kawata might get game time, after playing only a bit part in the first-leg.

“We need to think that the game is still 0-0 and we will try to keep a clean sheet,” explained Naoki.

“We may make one or two changes, but the core of the team that beat Geylang will play in the second-leg.

Albirex Niigata (S) – WWWLW

28/06/15  Albirex Niigata (S) 2-0 Geylang International (Singapore Cup)

24/06/16  Tampines Rovers 1-0 Albirex Niigata (S) (S.League)

18/06/16  Albirex Niigata (S) 5-2 Home United (S.League)

15/06/16  Hougang United 1-2 Albirex Niigata (S) (S.League)

10/06/16  Albirex Niigata (S) 3-2 Warriors FC (S.League)

Geylang International – WLLWL

28/06/15  Albirex Niigata (S) 2-0 Geylang International (Singapore Cup)

23/06/16  Home United 1-2 Geylang International (S.League)

18/06/16  Geylang International 1-2 Hougang United (S.League)

15/06/16  Warriors FC 2-0 Geylang International (S.League)

27/05/16  Geylang International 2-1 Warriors FC (Singapore Cup)