Written by: Shawn Lim

Garena Young Lions vs Warriors FC
(Thursday, 12 May, 7.30pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)

With no wins in their last five games, Warriors FC will pay Garena Young Lions a visit at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday night eager to pick up maximum points against the cellar-dwellers.

The nine-times Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League champions drew their most recent match against defending champions Brunei DPMM, where the Warriors had to come from behind to salvage a point.

Languishing in seventh place in the league table, a whooping 16 points behind leaders Albirex Niigata (S), Jorg Steinebrunner’s charges have a mountain to climb if they intend to be considered a title challenger.

Warriors’ opponents on Thursday night are not faring any better, as the Young Lions have lost 10 games in a row, with the latest coming from a 3-1 defeat to Geylang International.

Young Lions coach Patrick Hesse was furious after the defeat to the Eagles, as his team conceded a goal just two minutes into the game.

“When we start the game, we already lost 1-0 because the guys are not able to play 10 minutes without conceding a goal,” the Frenchman said after the game.

“If you cannot do this, you can’t play in the S.League and I’m very very disappointed because we have worked on this, but it still happens game after game.”

Hesse will be hoping for more concentration from his team this time, but will have to cope without Ashrul Syafeeq, Adam Swandi and Marcus Wheeler. Khairul Amri is not ready to start a full game yet, but Ammirul Emmran should make a return after missing the game against Eagles.

Warriors will still be without suspended first-choice goalkeeper Yazid Yasin, as Zainol Gulam looks set to continue to retain his spot in goal, while Steinebrunner will be pleased to welcome back Madhu Mohana and Nikola Rak, who both missed the DPMM game.

Suspension: Yazid Yasin (Warriors FC)

Garena Young Lions – LLLLL

05/05/16  Geylang International 3-1 Garena Young Lions (S.League)
28/04/16  Albirex Niigata (S) 3-0 Garena Young Lions (S.League)
21/04/16  Balestier Khalsa 2-0 Garena Young Lions (S.League)
08/04/16  Brunei DPMM 4-1 Garena Young Lions (S.League)
03/04/16  Garena Young Lions 1-2 Tampines Rovers (S.League)

Warriors FC – DLLLD

05/05/16  Warriors FC 1-1 Brunei DPMM (S.League)
30/04/16  Tampines Rovers 4-2 Warriors FC (S.League)
22/04/16  Warriors FC 1-2 Home United (S.League)
14/04/16  Warriors FC 0-1 Hougang United (S.League)
01/04/16  Geylang International 2-2 Warriors FC (S.League)

Head to Head (S.League)

04/03/16  Warriors FC 2-0 Garena Young Lions
16/10/15  Courts Young Lions 2-1 Warriors FC
23/07/15  Warriors FC 0-2 Courts Young Lions
20/04/15  Courts Young Lions 1-2 Warriors FC
20/08/14  Warriors FC 4-1 Courts Young Lions