Eagles prey for win over tired Protectors
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Geylang United will be looking to bring the gauntlet down on the Protectors from Home United when last season’s third-placed finishers of the S.League pay a visit this Sunday to the Home of the Eagles.
Both teams are on a similar sequence of wins, draws and losses; Home are only two goals ahead while having conceded three less than the Eagles, putting these two proud sides neck-to-neck in the standings - seventh and eighth respectively, both teams being on eight points.
Geylang Coach Mike Wong can take comfort from the fact that his team found only their second win in seven played during their last outing against the Super Reds the Eagles had recorded a mixed bag of five drawn/lost ever since their only other win which took place during heir season opener against Japanese side Albirex Niigata (S) in February.
What Wong won’t be taking a leaf from, however, is the fact that the Eagles have not experienced that winning feeling over the Protectors for over four seasons, their best result coming from an all-square 4-4 draw which took place way back in March 2005.
It’s been Home all the way ever since, the Protectors having overcome the Eagles a numbing 11 games since then.
Coach Wong will naturally be cautious as he tinkers with an Eagles formation that can hopefully rights that unbalanced record.
The Eagles are injury free with no suspensions, bar striker Masrezwan Masturi who is out until June.
Midfielder Syed Thaha is also back to full fitness after being under the weather over the last weeks. Syed returns to his left midfield role, a position young stalwart Yasir Hanapi managed ably during his absence.
Asked about who he felt were the main threats from the Home side, Wong highlighted two key players:
“We will be cautious against the attacking duo from Home, Peres (de Oliveira) and Norikazu (Murakami)”.
“They are Home’s link-up from midfield to attack and we have to be on guard against them. Of course there will be other threats but these two players are key to Home’s attacking options”.
And the Eagles battle-plan?
“To hold them in the first-half and try to get a result during the second” ended Coach Wong, likely aware of his opponents overseas exploits this past week, as he schemed a plan of tactical nous.
Home United have only just returned days earlier from their exertions in the Maldives where they scraped a 1-0 win over Club Valencia in an AFC Cup encounter.
That match was played on a heavy field and the Protectors will likely be a sapped bunch after the rain drenched match.
Coach Sivaji spoke of tired bodies ahead of Sunday’s tie-up with his opponents:
“We are confident although there are a lot of tired bodies out there for us”.
“Injury wise, Subramani is out (groin strain) but the rest of the squad are available” said the Head Coach of the Protectors over the last two seasons.
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