By Song Sung Hai

Last Season’s Results
GIFC 2-1 TPUFC
TPUFC 1-1 GIFC

The scintillating performance against defending champions Tampines Rovers FC last week behind us, a trip to Bedok Stadium tonight to face a revitalised Geylang International awaits. The Jaguars have not managed to beat the Eagles last season and it will be interesting to see if that changes this time round.

A commanding display of football last week at Jalan Besar Stadium could jolly well have been a victory for the Jaguars but it can be argued that only a good performance by the Stags’ custodian and a cruel refereeing decision kept the Jaguars from a rousing victory.

The Jaguars have the quality to be further up the table and the players know that, especially Captain Hafiz Osman. His inspired leadership when he plays has seen the Jaguars fighting on hard even when they are down and that leadership will be much needed at Bedok Stadium tonight. Tengku Mushadad has proven to be a real tank in defensive duties and he can be relied on to keep things safe at the back. Sazali ‘SuperSaz’ Salleh will also look to dominate in the center like he did last week.

Monsef Zerka has contributed immensely to overall play and he will want to decorate that with goals. He can count on the likes of Firdaus Idros and Sebastien Etiemble to provide the much needed impetus in attack and will threaten as always.

On the injury list sits Zahid Ahmad and Kamel Ramdani still. They are both weeks from recovery and their return is still very much awaited. Asraf Rashid will be serving the last of his three-match suspension and his presence is sorely missed.

Geylang International is currently undergoing a rejuvenation of sorts under ex-Jaguar Jorg Steinebrunner and has been undefeated ever since he has taken charge, six games in all. Leonel Felice is the real threat in the team along with the likes of Ridhuan Muhammad and Hafiz Nor. Their Japanese defenders also occasionally pop up in the box to score and will need some attention paid to them as well.

Head Coach Patrick Vallee will have some satisfaction from last week’s game and he will want the team to keep that performance up, especially in the face of an Eagles side desperate to notch up more wins at Bedok Stadium.

The Eagles will want to win in front of their home crowd, and the match is bound to be an electric affair. The travelling Jaguars will also have the Jag Force to buoy them on in the stands and a noisy Bedok Stadium will be the focal point of the eastern side of Singapore.

It will be a shame to miss such an affair.

So, see you there!