Written by: Rashid Sulaiman

The New Paper League Cup (Group B)

 

Geylang International vs Home United

(Monday, 18 July, 7.30pm, Bedok Stadium)

After a 2-2 draw against Balestier Khalsa in their 2016 The New Paper League Cup Group B opener, a win over a struggling Home United side on Monday at the Bedok Stadium will put Geylang International in pole position to advance to the semi-finals.

The Eagles currently sit and maximum points against Philippe Aw’s charges will put them on four points, condemning Home to bottom of the group. Leaders Albirex Niigata (S) – who have three points to their name – will take on Balestier on the same day.

Although Geylang and Home are certainly looking to take away the three points, they will have to tinker with their starting line-up as both sides have several key players missing due to national team commitments.

The Protectors will be without the services of Abdil Qaiyyim, Zulfahmi Arifin, Azhar Sairudin and Khairul Nizam as the four players are currently on international duty with Singapore in Japan.

As such, coach Philippe Aw is hoping the players available to him will step up their game and fire Home the victory.

“Looking at the players which have missed out, we could have formed a first 11. We had four players with the Singapore national team and six players with the Under-21s,” said Aw.

Meanwhile, coach Hasrin Jailani will be missing a host of key players, such as Syazwan Buhari, Daniel Bennett, Faritz Hameed, Gabriel Quak, Safirul Sulaiman, Sahil Suhaimi and Amy Recha.

For Hasrin, he was delighted with how his fringe players – especially the Prime League boys – performed against Balestier and is hoping for a similar performance from them.

“I am delighted with how we came back from two goals (against Balestier), but we definitely need to defend better because we conceded both goals through set-pieces because it was quite even in open play. Umar and Ifwat did well as well, especially Umar, who is quick on the turn and very fast,” said Hasrin.

In the previous meeting between Home and Geylang this season, the latter eked a 2-1 win with two late goals. The Protectors are also not having a best run of form currently as they are without a win in their last seven matches.

Geylang International – LWLDD

14/07/16 Balestier Khalsa 2-2 Geylang International (League Cup)

01/07/16  Geylang International 2-2 Albirex Niigata (S) (Singapore Cup)

28/06/15  Albirex Niigata (S) 2-0 Geylang International (Singapore Cup)

23/06/16  Home United 1-2 Geylang International (S.League)

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

Home United – LLLDL

14/07/16 Home United 0-2 Albirex Niigata (S) (League Cup)

30/06/16  Home United 2-2 Balestier Khalsa (Singapore Cup)

27/06/16  Balestier Khalsa 2-1 Home United (Singapore Cup)

23/06/16  Home United 1-2 Geylang International (S.League)

18/06/16  Albirex Niigata (S) 5-2 Home United (S.League)