RHB Singapore Cup 2017 (Preliminary Round)

Warriors FC vs Boeung Ket FC (Cambodia)

(29 May, Monday, 8.30pm, Choa Chu Kang Stadium)

Written by: Rashid Sulaiman

Warriors FC’s head coach Razif Onn will be looking for his team to be clinical in front of goal when they entertain Boeung Ket FC (Cambodia) in the RHB Singapore Cup 2017 Preliminary Round at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium on Monday night.

Razif’s charges have scored only three goals and picked up one win in their last three Great Eastern-Hyundai S.League ties and the Warriors tactician did not mince his words after those matches.

“I am not happy with us not putting away our chances. We held the ball too long; there were a lot of nice crosses and there were players in front of the six-yard box, but no one anticipated to finish,” Razif said after their match against Balestier Khalsa two weeks ago.

“It’s worrying for the team that we have so many chances, but cannot finish.”

Despite beating the Tigers 1-0, they were unable to capitalise on their numerical advantage after their opponents saw two players sent off in the game.

Shahril Ishak and company did their best to surge forward in search of more goals but were let down by poor finishing from Dutch-Congolese striker Joel Tshibamba, who has netted only four times so far.

It was the same tale when Warriors took on Hougang United. They dominated the match but it was the Cheetahs who went home with maximum points in a 2-0 win.

“I don’t count chances only goals; we had a number of chances in the first-half that we missed but I’m not going to blame anyone,” explained the long-serving Warriors coach.

Goals are certainly crucial in Cup competitions as the winners earn a spot in the next round while the losing team gets eliminated.

Warriors are certainly well-aware of that fact, having been knocked out in the first hurdle in 2016 as they went down 2-1 to Geylang International in the Preliminary Round.

If Razif needs inspiration in the final third, he can look no further than winger Jordan Webb. The Canadian has been tormenting opponents with his mazy runs and linking up well with Shahril in midfield and has six goals to his name this season.

For the Cambodians, they last played in Singapore’s prestigious Cup tournament in 2013. However, they failed to make it past the first round after they were thumped 4-1 by Tanjong Pagar United.

Boeung Ket currently lie fifth in the Metfone Cambodian League on 20 points, five points behind leaders Svay Rieng FC.

Although they lost their two previous league matches, they will be relying on their AFC Cup experience to see them through against the Warriors. Finishing in third place in Group F, they managed a win against Myanmar’s Magwe FC and held their own against teams like Johor Darul Ta’zim and Global Cebu FC.

Caretaker coach Hao Socheat will be hoping for captain and striker Maycon Silva to find a way to break down Warriors’ defence while Japanese Hikaru Mizuno is expected to hold the fort in the middle of the park.

Suspensions: Fadhil Noh, Ho Wai Loon (both Warriors FC)

Warriors FC – WDLLW

19/05/17 Warriors FC 1-0 Balestier Khalsa

11/05/17 Warriors FC 0-2 Hougang United

29/04/17 Albirex Niigata (S) 4-2 Warriors FC

22/04/17 Warriors FC 2-2 Home United

15/04/17 Brunei DPMM 3-5 Warriors FC

Boeung Ket FC – WWLLL

25/05/17 Boeung Ket 1-2 Phnom Penh Crown

14/05/17 National Police 2-1 Boeung Ket

03/05/17 Global Cebu FC 3-1 Boeung Ket (AFC Cup)

07/05/17 CMAC United 1-2 Boeung Ket

23/04/17 Nagaworld 1-2 Boeung Ket