Warriors FC vs Hougang United

(17 November, Friday, 7.30pm, Choa Chu Kang Stadium)

Written by: Rashid Sulaiman

Warriors FC winger Ridhuan Muhammad is confident his side can claim all three points when they host Hougang United in the Great Eastern-Hyundai S.League at Choa Chu Kang Stadium on Friday night.

Razif Onn’s charges are currently in fifth spot on 33 points, three points behind Geylang International who face newly-minted S.League champions Albirex Niigata (S) on the same day.

“Hougang are no doubt a quality team, but I strongly believe that with the players we have and most importantly hunger for the win, it will get us the result we want,” said Ridhuan.

“Preparations for this game has been going well and all of us are looking forward to end our last match of the season with nothing less than three points especially for the fans who have been supporting us throughout this season.”

Warriors, who have a negative three goal difference as compared to Geylang’s zero, not only need maximum points against Hougang but will also require the Eagles to lose to the White Swans if they are to move up a spot in the table.

Acknowledging that fact, Ridhuan is just focused on getting the win whilst hoping Albirex do them a favour.

“With Geylang having the upper hand in the battle for fourth spot, it doesn’t really bother us much as ultimately we just wanna win our last match,” the 33-year-old added.

But the nine-time S.League champions are not having the best of seasons as they come into this match on the back of three losses in five matches, going down to Albirex (1-5), Brunei DPMM (2-3) and Garena Young Lions (0-1).

While he admits the team should have attained a higher finish, Ridhuan was still able to draw positives from their 2017 season.

“We should have finish at least in the top two or top three if we had been consistent throughout the season,” he lamented.

“Nonetheless, it’s still an improvement if we compare it to last season where we finished seventh.”

For the Cheetahs, their fight for fifth placing ended earlier in the month when they went down to a shock 1-0 defeat to seventh-place Balestier Khalsa. They are currently in sixth spot on 29 points, four points behind Warriors.

“It’s disappointing that we cannot go into the last game against Warriors FC to give a good fight, but it’s a good chance to give some young boys opportunities ahead of next season,” said Hougang head coach Philippe Aw.

Both side will however be missing a player each through suspension, with Andrei-Cosmin Ciolacu and Syahiran Miswan out for Warriors and Hougang respectively.

Suspensions: Andrei-Cosmin Ciolacu (Warriors FC); Syahiran Miswan (Hougang United)

Warriors FC – DLLWL

03/11/17 Albirex Niigata (S) 5-1 Warriors FC

27/10/17 Warriors FC 2-1 Home United

21/10/17 Brunei DPMM 3-2 Warriors FC

14/10/17 Warriors FC 0-1 Garena Young Lions

20/09/17 Tampines Rovers 1-1 Warriors FC

Hougang United – LLLWL

02/11/17 Hougang United 0-1 Balestier Khalsa

24/10/17 Garena Young Lions 0-1 Hougang United

19/10/17 Albirex Niigata (S) 1-0 Hougang United

15/10/17 Hougang United 0-2 Home United

30/09/17 Hougang United 1-2 Global Cebu FC (RHB Singapore Cup)

Head to Head (S.League)

04/08/17 Hougang United 0-1 Warriors FC

11/05/17 Warriors FC 0-2 Hougang United

25/10/16 Warriors FC 5-1 Hougang United

23/06/16 Hougang United 1-3 Warriors FC

14/04/16 Warriors FC 0-1 Hougang United