Geylang International head coach Noor Ali left Jalan Besar Stadium with a smile on his face after his charges concluded Round 1 of the Singapore Premier League (SPL) campaign with a 5-3 comeback victory over Tanjong Pagar United last Friday (July 19).
That hard-fought win - which saw the players digging deep to overturn a 3-1 deficit at half-time - not only puts the third-placed side within touching distance with the league's frontrunners, but also preserves their unbeaten start to the season.
This is a dramatic uptick in fortune for the 49-year-old Singaporean coach as it was only two seasons ago where his job at the eastern Singapore club was called into question. Despite opening the 2022 season brilliantly with a 1-0 upset over Lion City Sailors, the Eagles then embarked on a 11-game winless sequence, including heavy defeats to Young Lions and Albirex Niigata.
Amid calls from some sections of the fanbase for his dismissal, the club hierarchy had firmly stuck to their man as they possibly saw potential in him as a capable coach.
In fact, the Geylang management invested in Noor by sending him to a year-long coaching attachment at Matsumoto Yamaga in 2018, which was part of a memorandum of understanding with the then J2 League side.
"Coach Noor had gained much experience from his stint in Japan, and he has been applying what he had learnt ever since his return to the club," observes long-time Eagles supporter Nash Daud.
Indeed, the club's investment reaped instant dividend as Noor creditably led his team to AFC Cup qualification via a fourth-placed finish in the SPL, as well as a third placing in the Singapore Cup during the 2019 season.
Proud Geylang fan Idi Bakhtiar recalls fondly, "What a season to start for Noor Ali! He had that high pressing gameplay which was refreshing at that time. Geylang became an exciting team to watch. That season we won several games at the last minute. That just shows his influence."
Besides having more experience from his Japan stint, Noor also has the knack for spotting talents that suit the Geylang playing style.
According to globetrotter Muhammad Sufian - who had travelled to Bandar Seri Begawan, Melaka and Pasir Gudang to catch the Eagles in action against overseas opponents - he explains, "No matter old heads or young ones, he knows how to mould them into a collective unit that can play to the club's style. Considering the limited budget given to him, he has really done well with the talents at his disposal."
"Of course, there are hits and misses every now and then. But that is football," the well-travelled fan muses.
Now into his sixth full season with Geylang - holding the record as the second longest serving coach in the club's 50-year history - Noor has firmly endeared himself to the supporters.
Diehard fan Idi, who can be spotted wearing an "Ultras Eagles Endorse Noor Ali" tee on matchdays, shares his experience with the club legend. "Coach Noor came over to my table when he saw my family having dinner, and is also never one who turns down a fan's request for a photo. He banters with UE and dances with us when celebrating victories. What else do you want from a coach?"
Noor's impressive work with the unbeaten Eagles this season has not only enhanced his popularity with the faithful, but it has also given their long-suffering fans a newfound belief that the fallen Singaporean giants can rediscover their glory days.
Speaking ahead of a stern Eastern derby test against Tampines Rovers this Wednesday (July 24), Sufian is hopeful that his beloved team's unbeaten run would continue so as to finish in the higher echelons of the league table come end of the campaign.
Without doubt, there is no underestimation of the tough challenge posed by their more illustrious eastern Singapore neighbours who top the SPL table after a 5-0 demolition of fellow title challengers Lion City Sailors.
Still, Geylang under the stewardship of Noor this season has transformed into a side that can go head to head with any opposition - a point that is not lost on Idi.
One only has to look at the seesaw 4-4 draw with the Stags in May where the Eagles took a two-goal lead midway through the second half before being pegged back to a stalemate.
Having already earned the honour of being the first side to ruin the Sailors' perfect record earlier this season, Noor would certainly tell his men to have a go in also being the first to halt the Stags' unbeaten streak.
Team news: Noor Ali has a near full strength squad to pick from, with only Huzaifah Aziz unavailable for the midweek derby.
Player to watch: Vincent Bezecourt - The French midfield maestro is a big-game player that usually delivers the goals when the going gets tough. In fact, Bezecourt had already registered two goals against the Stags last season, and his teammates would be hoping that he could do the trick again.
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