Written by: Darren Ho

Garena Young Lions vs Tampines Rovers
(Saturday, 15 October, 7.30pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)

Following Albirex Niigata (S) capture of the 2016 Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League title, Tampines Rovers will look to end the season as runners-up when they pay Garena Young Lions a visit at Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday night.

The Stags, who had been title contenders throughout the season, witnessed their title hopes evaporated yesterday when Albirex defeated Hougang United 3-0.

Tampines however, are still in the chase for RHB Singapore Cup title where they will go head-to-head with Albirex in the final, and beating the Young Lions will be a huge first-step to rebuild their confidence following a string of poor results.

The Stags coach Akbar Nawas will be hoping that the next three fixtures will be a good omen to the upcoming final and has backed his team to lift themselves up and strive for the win.

“If we cannot be composed enough to take our chances, we only have ourselves to blame,” said Akbar, following Tampines’ 1-0 defeat to Brunei DPMM before the international break.

Despite the much-vaunted front trio of Jermaine Pennant, Jordan Webb and Billy Mehmet, the Stags have only netted once in their last four games in all competition and Akbar is expected to bolster his squad with the pool of poaching talents he’s got.

Their Saturday opponents, Young Lions, led by veteran stiker Khairul Amri, has been more promising in front of goal, having found the net five times in their last two fixtures.

However, Garena Young Lions coach Patrick Hesse will want his charges to work as a team in defence, and not to concede by huge margins.

“We are at the end of the season and game after game we are making the same mistakes,” said the Frenchman.

“Every time we get the ball back we give it away. We have now conceded about 10 to 12 goals just before half-time.”

While tightening their defence is paramount, Hesse is also expecting his Young Lions charges to put up a good fight with the Stags.

“We must have the killer instinct and we need to kick the ball into the net to score,” Hesse noted.

Suspension: Irwan Shah (Tampines Rovers)

Garena Young Lions – LLLLL

30/09/16  Home United 5-2 Garena Young Lions (S.League)
26/09/16  Brunei DPMM 5-3 Garena Young Lions (S.League)
23/09/16  Garena Young Lions 0-2 Hougang United (S.League)
26/08/16  Warriors FC 5-2 Garena Young Lions (S.League)
18/08/16  Garena Young Lions 0-2 Geylang International (S.League)

Tampines Rovers – WWLDL

01/10/16 Tampines Rovers 0-1 Brunei DPMM (S.League)
21/09/16  Tampines Rovers 0-0 Bengaluru FC (AFC Cup)
14/09/16  Bengaluru FC 1-0 Tampines Rovers (AFC Cup)
10/09/16  Home United 0-1 Tampines Rovers (S.League)
24/08/16  Ceres La Salle 2-3 Tampines Rovers (Singapore Cup)

Head-to-Head (S.League)

14/06/16  Tampines Rovers 6-1 Garena Young Lions
03/04/16  Garena Young Lions 1-2 Tampines Rovers
27/09/15  Courts Young Lions 1-3 Tampines Rovers
19/09/15  Tampines Rovers 0-1 Courts Young Lions
05/03/14  Tampines Rovers 1-0 Courts Young Lions