Tanjong Pagar United vs Woodlands Wellington

(March 21, Friday, 7.30pm, Queenstown Stadium)

Written By: Muhammad Yazid

Woodlands Wellington will make a trip to Queenstown Stadium to take on Tanjong Pagar United as both teams look to accumulate as many points as possible at the start of the season to keep their title hopes alive.

The Jaguars enjoyed a perfect start to the season after a win over Harimau Muda at the Pasir Gudang Stadium but unfortunately got inflicted with a 2-1 defeat in their first home game by Hougang United.

The Rams on the other hand, are looking for their first win of the season despite being unbeaten.

They kick-started their season with a fortuitous 2-2 draw with Hougang United before displaying an intriguing show of football in the 1-1 stalemate with Balestier Khalsa. This was followed up with another 2-2 draw against Courts Young Lions in their previous match.

Having scored in every game they have played this season so far, Darren Stewart’s side will be reminding his charges to keep up the attacking form while the gaffer is expected to tighten his defence, in the hope of keeping a clean sheet which will earn a win for Woodlands if their attack is fluid enough to score goals.

Woodlands will be relying on the services of former Tanjong Pagar United vice-captain Walid Lounis and Serbian signing Milos Jevtic to command the backline and concede no goals.

Patrick Vallee’s charges have been competent in holding the midfield following the introduction of Sebastien Etiemble. However, Woodlands’ central-midfield partners Atsushi Shimono and Armanizam Dolah are no amateurs in looking after the midfield.

With both sides evenly-matched up in the central area of the park, this game might be decided on who wins the midfield battle.

Key Men To Watch

Tanjong Pagar United: Firdaus Idros

The attacker has been a joy to watch so far this season, as he terrorises opponents with his pace and trickery.

Firdaus packs a punch with his shots, he is not afraid to take a punt even from distance.

Against a Woodlands defence which at times seem prone to lapses in concentration, Firdaus can be counted upon to create havoc against Woodlands.

Woodlands Wellington: Milos Jevtic

Nicknamed ‘Mika’, the new addition for Woodlands this year has marked his name as one of the key players in the squad especially after his last game against Courts Young Lions, where he was a rock at the back.

The Serbian endured a shaky start to his S.League career when he misplaced passes in his first game against Hougang United but eventually improved in time and has even gotten his name onto the scoring charts with a spectacular bicycle-kick goal last week.

Tanjong Pagar United – LLWLL

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

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

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

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

4/11/13      Tanjong Pagar 0-1 Balestier Khalsa

Woodlands Wellington – DDDLL

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

28/2/14      Woodlands Wellington 1-1 Balestier Khalsa

22/2/14      Hougang United 2-2 Woodlands Wellington

4/11/13      Woodlands Wellington 3-6 Tampines Rovers

30/10/13   Balestier Khalsa 3-0 Woodlands Wellington

Head to Head (S.League)

18/10/13   Woodlands Wellington 2-2 Tanjong Pagar United

4/8/13        Woodlands Wellington 2-3 Tanjong Pagar United

11/4/13      Tanjong Pagar United 1-1 Woodlands Wellington

4/11/12      Tanjong Pagar United 2-3 Woodlands Wellington

11/5/12      Woodlands Wellington 0-1 Tanjong Pagar United

3/11/11      Tanjong Pagar United 1-1 Woodlands Wellington

17/5/11      Woodlands Wellington 0-1 Tanjong Pagar United

4/3/11        Tanjong Pagar United 0-0 Woodlands Wellington