Courts Young Lions vs Tanjong Pagar United

(March 26, Wednesday, 7.30pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)

Written by: Muhammad Yazid

Courts Young Lions come up against a Tanjong Pagar United side who are generally in disarray, and there will be no better time for Aide Iskandar’s charges to face the visitors.

The Jaguars have suffered three straight losses, and a host of injuries and suspensions have robbed them of their best players, with Masrezwan Masturi being a case in point as he is sitting out of the match due to his dismissal in the game against Balestier Khalsa.

Even though Patrick Vallee’s side will welcome back Ruzaini Zainal and Nor Azli Yusoff, problems such as the lack of match fitness and mutual understanding between teammates will be present.

On the other hand, Aide Iskandar’s young charges have improved since round one, where they were thrashed by Balestier 4-0. Since then they have been dangerous while going forward, although they have only got a point to show for all their efforts.

Against Geylang, Aide’s boys were unlucky to come away with a defeat, especially with Delwinder Singh holding the fort really well to deny the Eagles much space and time.

However, Young Lions will be missing flamboyant forward Jordan Webb after he was dismissed for mouthing off to the referee in the game against Geylang. The attacker’s penetrative runs and crossings will be missed in this match, and somebody else such as Sherif El Masri must step up to provide the penetration on the flanks.

Up front, Iqbal Hussain may lead the frontline again and the youngster needs to grab his chances well. The striker has found himself in several good positions to score in recent games but his lack of composure affected his accuracy at times.

Suspended: Jordan Webb (Courts Young Lions), Masrezwan Masturi (Tanjong Pagar)

Key Men To Watch

Courts Young Lions: Shamil Sharif

Currently leading the scoring charts for Courts Young Lions with two goals, the midfielder is certainly one of the key players in Aide Iskandar’s side.

Shamil scored a brace and impressed everyone with a stunning performance against Woodlands Wellington to hold the Rams to a 2-2 draw.

The 22-year-old has been efficient in pulling the strings from midfield together with Anumanthan Kumar, while supporting Canadian duo Jordan Webb and Sherif El-Masri, and is expected to give the Tanjong Pagar United midfield a tough time.

Tanjong Pagar United: Sebastien Etiemble

Talk about a player who covers every grass patch in a match, and the first name which pops up into mind will be Sebastien Etiemble.The new signing for Tanjong Pagar United has been putting up man-of-the-match performances ever since the start of the season, and it is a pity the French has had to endure three consecutive losses with his team.

Always putting in his best in both defending and attacking duties, the attacking midfielder looks set to continue his top-class form throughout the season, especially against Courts Young Lions this Wednesday.

Courts Young Lions – LDLLW

20/3/14    Geylang International 1-0 Courts Young Lions

13/3/14    Courts Young Lions 2-2 Woodlands Wellington

1/3/14       Tampines Rovers 3-2 Courts Young Lions

23/2/14    Courts Young Lions 0-4 Balestier Khalsa

5/11/13     Courts Young Lions 2-0 Hougang United

Tanjong Pagar United – LLLWL

21/3/14    Tanjong Pagar United 0-1 Woodlands Wellington

13/3/14    Balestier Khalsa 1-0 Tanjong Pagar United

27/2/14    Tanjong Pagar United 1-2 Hougang United

24/2/14    Harimau Muda 1-2 Tanjong Pagar United

8/11/13     Home United 4-1 Tanjong Pagar (RHB Singapore Cup)

Head to Head (S.League)

25/8/13    Tanjong Pagar United 0-1 Courts Young Lions

17/4/13    Courts Young Lions 0-4 Tanjong Pagar United

26/9/12    Courts Young Lions 1-1 Tanjong Pagar United

20/4/12    Tanjong Pagar United 0-5 Courts Young Lions

3/10/11     Tanjong Pagar United 3-1 Courts Young Lions

19/6/11     Courts Young Lions 0-1 Tanjong Pagar United

31/3/11     Tanjong Pagar United 0-0 Courts Young Lions