By Song Sung Hai

This season’s past result
Geylang International 1-1 Tanjong Pagar United

The S.League returns to Queenstown Stadium after three long weeks and it will bring the Geylang Eagles from the east of Singapore. The Jaguars are on the back of an inspiring victory over the Stags last week away and will look to carry that form in tonight.

Jaguars Head Coach Patrick Vallée has not managed to defeat Geylang International with Tanjong Pagar in the S.League and tonight would be a good time to start as both teams aim to finish as high as possible in the league.

Patrick will still be missing Monsef Zerka and Kamel Ramdani but last week proved that the Jaguars have ample reserves in the armoury, vindicating the choice of players Patrick chose to sign for this season.

The tight central defence partnership of Hanafi Salleh and Anthony Aymard, which performed ever so well against the Stags last week, may or may not be present tonight as Patrick welcomes back Hafiz Osman from suspension. It is but a very happy headache for the French gaffer.

Sebastien Etiemble, Firdaus Idros and Asraf Rashid formed a formidable attacking triangle last week, with the French maestro scoring the winning goal. Captain Ahmad Latiff is dangerous upfront and still showing everyone his quality in whatever position he plays. The natural striker came close to scoring on several occasions last week and he may feel it is time to start scoring again tonight.

An interesting battle will also take place tonight in the centre as Sazali ‘SuperSaz’ Salleh comes face to face with the Eagle’s own ironman Fabian Kwok and a titanic clash can be the only outcome.

The Geylang Eagles have been a more disciplined outfit with Jorg Steinebrunner at the helm and can be very unpredictable. On their day, like last week, the Eagles can run almost any team down but on their off-days, are a sedated side at best.

Even then, the Eagles will count on their captain, Ridhuan Muhammad, who must be watched for his pace down the flanks and the slippery Aliff Shafaein who has a habit of ghosting in unnoticed into the box. Former Jaguar Hafiz Nor will also threaten should he play tonight.

This is the second last game of the S.League this season before we enter the final half-round stage and it is a given that both sides will be chasing the win tonight to ensure a comfortable finish to the season. Sparks are bound to fly whenever the two sides meet and none of that will change tonight.

See you there!