Geylang International's fleeting success of a 10-match unbeaten start to the 2024/25 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season was as good as it lasted, as the fallen Singaporean giants - who last clinched a league title in 2001 - tasted their first defeat of the campaign with a 1-0 loss to arch rivals Hougang United last Friday (August 2).
While the third-placed Eagles' credible run of results in the early stage of the SPL had seen their long-suffering supporters partying away at Jalan Besar Stadium, ardent fan Alex Bong brooded the inevitability of his beloved side facing a beating.
"After that 'horrible' draw against the Tigers, I had this sense that our first loss of the season was just around the corner. I was proven right with the subsequent Cheetahs defeat."
Meanwhile, other fans were still reeling from the latest setback.
"I couldn't believe we lost. I couldn't believe we couldn't score against Hougang," says Ultras Eagles chief Idi Bakhtiar in disbelief.
Fellow diehard supporter Muhd Hairul expresses his feeling succinctly. "I'm devastated by the defeat."
Amid the gloom hovering the Geylang camp, supporters see a silver lining in their heroes in green.
Still recovering from the shocking defeat, Hairul composes himself before sharing, "I'm not disappointed by the players' efforts in that Hougang match."
Concurring with the squad's positive attitude, Idi likes what he saw post-match. "Judging from the body language the players showed during our 'Viking Clap' after the game, they were not down and out.
"They may have been defeated, but they haven't given up. We will beat Young Lions this Saturday (August 10)."
More words of encouragement are to come from Hairul as his beloved team are up against the under-23 developmental side.
"To all the players there, keep moving forward and don't lose hope. You guys have been through ups and down, especially for those who have been with the club for a few seasons. Keep soaring and we will be there!"
But to the ever-cautious Alex, a win this weekend is far from a formality. Despite recording six straight league victories against the Cubs - including a 7-1 rout in May this year - he explains that the fifth-placed rivals are a different proposition from past seasons where they were dismissed as whipping boys.
"Young Lions are on a high given their overachievement this season. Their current crop of foreign signings are able to click with the local youngsters well. This team cohesion has given them the belief of going into every game to play for the three points."
Playing against a highly motivated opponent, fans are offering their two cents to head coach Noor Ali on how he and his charges ought to approach the contest.
Alex urges the experienced heads in the squad to control the match at their pace. "We have to play a patient, counter-attacking game. Never fall into their trap by playing a fast-paced football."
For Hairul, he hopes Noor could be more decisive in putting fresh legs during the closing stages of the fixture, especially when it comes to chasing for a goal.
With Geylang facing stiff competition from Balestier for a top-three placing in the months to come, Alex stresses, "Grinding out a one-goal win is good enough to get us on track to secure at least third in the league."
Team news: Noor Ali has nearly all his players available for the Young Lions clash, barring the absence of injury-striken Huzaifah Aziz. But sections of the fanbase have called for the club legend to alter his favoured XI so as to avoid predictability in the team's play.
Player to watch: Zikos Chua - One Eagles player whom ardent fan Alex Bong hopes to see in the starting 11 is the 22-year-old Singaporean hotshot. Having given limited game time by his head coach despite his outstanding performance against Hougang earlier in June, Chua has not been given the chance to build on the momentum and shine on the goalscoring front.
With Iqbal Hussain out of form and showing signs of jadedness at times, it may be opportune for Noor to switch from his preferred 4-5-1 formation to a 4-4-2 so as to accomodate the talented striker.
"As a former Young Lions player, I think he knows their defensive weaknesses inside out. Perhaps there will be a few goals in his locker," Alex offers another bold prediction.
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