Written by: Rashid Sulaiman

The New Paper League Cup (Group A)

Hougang United vs Warriors FC

(Thursday, 21 July, 7.45pm, Hougang Stadium)

It’s a battle of pride for Hougang United and Warriors FC, both currently without a point in Group A, when the two meet tonight at the Hougang Stadium, kick-off at 7.45pm.

The two clubs have lost their first two matches in the round robin and are out of the Cup competition, but the bottom two clubs from each group will advance to the Plate semi-finals.

It’s a horrid campaign for coach Razif Onn whose side have conceded seven goals and are still looking to net their first goal in the League Cup. Hougang on the other hand began their League Cup journey with a 6-4 defeat to Tampines Rovers, and suffered a 2-0 loss to Brunei DPMM in their second match.

For coach K.Balagumaran, he has called for his team to stay focus after seeing how his players were easily drawn into an exchange with the referee.

“Whatever decision, as a team we have to stay focused and not get distracted. We’re still lacking a bit on that part; we were arguing with the referee and all,” said Balagumaran.

“If after DPMM’s sending off (Paulo Sergio), we had stayed focused and took advantage of the numerical advantage, we could have equalised,” added the Cheetahs’ coach who feel that his side played quite well against the Bruneians.

Balagumaran will have to tinker with his squad as he will be without the services of Fairoz Hasan and Afiq Noor who are suspended for this tie.

“Overall we played quite well and gave players a chance to play. Ridhuan pulled off a brilliant save, Afiq (Noor) did well at both left midfield and left back and Faliq did okay in on his debut. We still have the Plate competition and we’ll be going for it.”

For the Warriors, they have their work cut out for them if they are to gain any point from the group stage. Coach Razif was livid after their last match, as 3-0 defeat to Tampines Rovers.

“I don’t think the goalkeeper’s mistake changed the game because the goals we conceded in the second-half was so close to each other again, like against DPMM,” said Razif.

“If we make the same mistakes again, something is very wrong. It is a lapse of concentration in our backline,” explained the Warriors’ coach.

Suspensions: Fairoz Hasan and Afiq Noor (both Hougang United)

Hougang United FC – DLWLL

17/07/16 Hougang United 0-2 Brunei DPMM (League Cup)

13/07/16  Tampines Rovers 6-4 Hougang United (League Cup)

23/06/16  Hougang United 1-3 Warriors FC (S.League)

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

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

Warriors FC – LWWLL

17/07/16 Warriors FC 0-3 Tampines Rovers (League Cup)

13/07/16  Brunei DPMM 4-0 Warriors FC (League Cup)

23/06/16  Hougang United 1-3 Warriors FC (S.League)

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

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