Written by: Shawn Lim

Warriors FC will be keen to put aside their Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League woes when they take on Geylang International at Jalan Besar Stadium on Friday night in the preliminary round of the 2016 RHB Singapore Cup.

Having won just twice in their last 13 games and languishing in seventh place in the league table, the cup competition represents a chance for the nine-times S.League champions to get their season back on track.

Despite winning the Singapore Cup four times in their history, Warriors last tasted success in this competition four years ago when they were still known as the Singapore Armed Forces FC and will begin their attempt to add a fifth when they take on the Eagles.

The Choa Chu Kang-based club will attempt to do that by working and communicating together as a team, something that interim coach Razif Onn has strived to achieve since taking over from Jorg Steinebrunner.

“On paper, we have quality players, but we haven’t been working together and helping each other,” said Warriors defender Madhu Mohana in a pre-match interview with Eleven Sports Network.

“That’s the most important thing in football. So we really have to give our all and help each other. Every game, we have to give our 110% to get a win.”

Meanwhile, Geylang will be looking to bounce back with a win after their mini-revival was halted by league leaders Albirex Niigata (S) in a 2-0 defeat last week.

The Eagles dropped points in the early part of the season because of their heavy focus on attacking football, but tweaked their tactics to go on a three-game winning run before their loss to the White Swans.

Geylang last won the Singapore Cup back in 2009, when assistant coach Mohd Noor Ali was still playing for the club and will be keen to improve on their quarter-final finishes in recent years,

Warriors will have to cope without the suspended Syaqir Sulaiman, while Andy Ahmad, Ismail Yunos, Shaiful Esah and Madhu Mohana are all doubtful. Ridhuan Muhamad will be away for reservist.

The Eagles will be without Shariff Samat, who has been sentenced to two weeks’ jail, but the rest of the squad is fit and available for selection.

Suspension: Syaqir Sulaiman (Warriors FC)

Geylang International – LWWWL

20/05/16  Albirex Niigata (S) 2-0 Geylang International (S.League)
14/05/16  Balestier Khalsa 1-3 Geylang International (S.League)
05/0616   Geylang International 3-1 Garena Young Lions (S.League)
30/04/16  Brunei DPMM 1-2 Geylang International (S.League)
21/04/16  Geylang International 0-1 Tampines Rovers (S.League)

Warriors FC – LDLDD

20/05/16  Warriors FC 1-1 Balestier Khalsa (S.League)
17/05/16  Warriors FC 0-0 Tampines Rovers (S.League)
12/05/16  Garena Young Lions 3-1 Warriors FC (S.League)
05/05/16  Warriors FC 1-1 Brunei DPMM (S.League)
30/04/16  Tampines Rovers 4-2 Warriors FC (S.League)