S-League Preview Week 14
14th June 2012 (Thursday)
Tanjong Pagar United v Hougang United
Jalan Besar Stadium, 7.45 pm
The S-League finally resumes after the mid-season break with Tanjong Pagar United taking on Hougang United who are three spots below them in the live game of the week.
Rooted to the bottom two spot for most of the season, Tanjong Pagar United found form just in time allowing them to finish eighth at the end of the first half of the S-League. They currently hold a three game winning streak, two of which came against high flyers Home United and Balestier Khalsa.
They have boosted their ranks with the signing of former New York Red Bulls Academy player Gilbert Bayonne. He replaces the outgoing Jang In Jun which will most certainly mean that Japanese Takaya Kawanabe will drop into midfield. The departure of playmaker Aliff Shafaein to SAFFC however, will hurt them and their chances of making it into the top half of the table.
Hougang United on the other hand, will be looking for a fresh start in the second half of the season. Their season has not panned out as planned, with genuine hopes of finishing in the top half all but dashed unless they are able to have an amazing second half in the season.
Ante Barac and Jordan Webb will once again remain key cogs, with both of them able to unlock and destroy any defence in the league on their day. However, it is not in the attack department which Hougang has a problem though.
A total of twenty-one goals conceded in just thirteen games means that they have the joint-fourth worst defence in the league. Stanislav Vidakovic has to be more consistent and as he has proven before, he can keep even the best striker in the league quiet when on form. The injuries and suspensions to regular Syaqir Sulaiman has not helped either but with the pairing available against the Jaguars, the Cheetahs will be confident of keeping out the goals on their end.
Tanjong Pagar United last five games: LLWWW
Hougang United last five games: LLLLL
Prediction: With a few changes to Tanjong Pagar’s squad, how fast they are able to gel and adapt will be a problem. Hougang to finally stop their losing streak. 1-1.