Eagles look for improvement under Coach Wong

Elwyn Lee
info@sleague.com

It’s upwards and onwards for both Geylang United and the Super Reds at Bedok Stadium this coming Thursday.

The tale of the table for the two sides over their last six games played show equitable likeness – the Koreans are on six points while the Eagles are slightly behind at five.

The visiting Koreans are on a run of one win, three draws and two losses, while their hosts have also managed that single win coupled with two draws and three defeats.

For the Super Reds, a lively 1-1 draw with Tampines Rovers at their last outing provided tell-tale signs that they are finally starting to gel as a cohesive unit.

Prior to that game they managed their first win of the season in a 3-2 defeat of Sengkang Punggol.

For the Eagles, the wounds of two consecutive defeats – against Balestier Khalsa and Tampines Rovers – means things are not going as smoothly as expected.

With the campaign going into its third month, Geylang have also undergone the S.League’s first coaching change. In midweek, the Eastern club revealed a reshuffle of its three-man technical panel.

Eagles icon Lim Tong Hai will now focus fully on his dual role as head of the football division and team manager, leaving assistant coach Mike Wong to assume the main coaching duties.

The next few games should provide a clearer insight as to Wong’s helming of the Eagles squad; he will be working hand-in-hand with Geylang’s football committee chairman, Seak Pok Leong, who continues to provide his expertise and insight as technical director.

Having gone without a win since their first match of the season, and coming on the back of two consecutive defeats, the last thing the Eagles may want to face will be a Korean side on the mend.

A series of laboured performances will have to be improved upon if they hope to make a case for the loftier heights of the S.League table they will be striving to achieve, as they start this match in the bottom three.

In last season’s three encounters with the Super Reds, Geylang succumbed in all of them, each by a one-goal margins.

The Eagles’ last victory over the Koreans dates back to June 2007, when they hammered their hosts 4-0 at Yishun Stadium. That was some time ago and Geylang will want more of the same come tomorrow.

That said, barring any major catastrophe, the Eagles, led by effervescent captain Noor Ali should have plenty in their armoury to fend off any attacks from the opposition this time around.

Coach Wong in his maiden game at the helm had only good things to say about the nippy, mobile Koreans.

“We are up against a team that have gelled together well as a unit, as seen in their last against Tampines Rovers just five days ago.

“We will have to be resolute at the back and play an attacking game, especially since this is a home game for us and the points will be crucial,” said the affable ex-National Under-18 and Women’s Team coach.

Geylang will be missing the services of defender Kamarulariffin Karim (hamstring), Faizal Senin (strained ligament), and possibly Syed Thaha (illness).

The Super Reds are primed for their eastern adventure with all players on board, barring forward Yun Bo Young, who is still recovering from a minor operation.

The Koreans’ lethal quartet, comprising striker Choi Dong Soo and midfielders Park Han Seok, Jeon Byung Euk and Kim Yoon Sik, are available and shaping up well. All are on at least a goal each so far with Park doing one better.

They will no doubt be looking forward to adding to that tally, although they can expect a difficult time against a side that could yet be rejuvenated by the presence of a new man in charge.