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Good start vital as strugglers meet
Gary Koh
info@sleague.com
Last year, Sengkang Punggol and Balestier Khalsa propped up the league by finishing in the bottom two.
This term, both clubs are looking to shed their unwanted tags of “perennial league strugglers”, starting with their clash at Hougang Stadium on Tuesday evening.
A positive result for either team will lay the foundations for a better campaign ahead, as both have done extensive squad rebuilding during the pre-season.
Sengkang have opted to go for youth with a few experienced heads guiding them along, while Balestier have strengthened their squad with seasoned players.
Both teams’ coaches are satisfied with their pre-season preparations, and are raring to go for their first game of the 2010 season.
Sengkang head coach Aide Iskandar is aware of the importance of getting things right in the first game.
“Every opening game is important, regardless of the opponent,” he said.
“Getting a positive result tomorrow will be a confidence booster for us, and we will go into the next game with a better state.”
The rookie tactician is satisfied with how his team’s pre-season has gone, and hopes the players are able to translate the positives into the game.
“The pre-season has been so far so good, and I am happy with how the team is shaping up,” he continued.
“Now I will like to see whether they can translate the performances from the friendly games and training into the match.”
However, Aide will be without the services of three Dolphins for this match. Newly-promoted Israel Tan is ruled out with a hamstring injury, while Guinean forward Mamadou Diallo remains sidelined with a virus.
Regular captain Nor Azli Yusoff is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards last year, so vice-captain Lau Meng Meng is expected to wear the armband in his absence.
Balestier head coach Nasaruddin Jalil is counting on experience to help the Tigers get points in the first game.
Two of their foreigners, English captain Daniel Hammond and Brazilian forward Rivaldo Costa, have played for other league teams previously, and Nasaruddin will be relying on their experience to carry the team.
“This game is very crucial for us,” said the former national midfielder, who is leading the team for the third straight season.
“We have retained the core of the team and added some experience into the team. Experienced midfielders like Ishak Zainol and Kamal Nasir add depth into the game, while the younger players who have been around are now more mature.
“Daniel and Rivaldo used to play for previous S.League teams and have experience in the local game. Together with the other new foreigners Paul Cunningham and Vitor Borges, we have strengthened the defence and strike partnership.”
Defender Mushthafa Kamal is still recovering from the anterior cruciate ligament injury he had suffered last year. Goh Swee Swee is recuperating from his shoulder surgery, and winger K. Vikraman is suspended for this match.
With a potential early six-pointer, it is imperative for the two teams to get their season started on a right note. |
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