By Song Sung Hai
Last Season’s Results
TPUFC 1-0 TRFC
TRFC 2-1 TPUFC
TRFC 3-1 TPUFC

The Jaguars are currently languishing in 10th place after last week’s capitulation against Home United and next up will be defending champions Tampines Rovers. The Jaguars were the first team to beat the Stags last season at home and currently stands a chance of a result against a Stags team who have lost four of their last five matches in all competitions.

Last week against the Protectors once again saw the Jaguars giving their all and dominating in instances but the inability to finish had them punished by the more clinical Home United team. Three of the four goals came from set-pieces and defending in that area will need to be addressed.

Captain Hafiz Osman will be back from his one-match suspension and looks set to partner Tengku Mushadad in defense as Anthony Aymard will be out with a torn hamstring, one he sustained merely minutes into the previous game. The Jaguars will still be missing Asraf Rashid to suspension and his absence was felt in the last game.

Zahid Ahmad will be sitting out still due to a calf and shoulder injury and Kamel is set to return in June only.

Nor Azli Yusoff put in a good display in the previous game and he will want to maintain that form against the defending league champs. Masrezwan Masturi is certain to play in an attacking role in the absence of Asraf Rashid and he will add bite in support of Sebastien Etiemble and Monsef Zerka.

Tampines Rovers have crashed out of the AFC Cup after losing to Nay Pyi Taw earlier this week, a defeat which followed by their unexpected loss at the hands of Woodlands Wellington FC. Their coach Salim Moin will have taken our recent bad run into account and will definitely be looking at this game for his lads to rebound in style.

Their target man Miljan Mr Dakovic will be the dangerman tomorrow night with his ability to suddenly score out of nowhere.

Head Coach Patrick Vallee knows that it will not be an easy game, acknowledging that Tampines Rovers are a very strong team.

“They lost their previous game against the Myanmar team and that could mean bad news for us but I am more concerned about focusing on ourselves,” he added. “My boys will work hard to bounce back and will always give their one hundred percent. If the lads play to their potential, they can get a good result but for that to happen, we must have a winning mentality and responsibility to perform well.”

Jalan Besar is the venue tomorrow night for what promises to be a titanic clash between two sides eager to bounce back into form and is certainly one not to miss.

See you there!