Geylang International have been scoring for fun since the start of the current Singapore Premier League campaign. Spearheaded by their Japanese ace striker Tomoyuki Doi, the third-placed club are the highest scoring team in the league with 29 goals, five ahead of nearest challengers Lion City Sailors and Tampines Rovers.
Amid the goal fest by the free-scoring side - which has been an entertaining treat for the Eagles faithful - there seems to be an individual challenge between two of the club's wingbacks, Naquiddin Eunos and Shakir Hamzah, on who can score the most number of goals by the end of this season.
After their latest exploits against Albirex Niigata where they scored a goal apiece, Naquiddin holds a slight edge in the goalscoring contest with three strikes to his name, comparing to Shakir's two.
The Ultras Eagles (UE) like what they see from the pair so far. "Their work rates are incredible! I look forward to see their impressive runs at the flanks every match. It’s so exciting!" enthuses Eagles fan Abdul Rahman, who has been a regular face at Geylang matches this campaign.
Indeed, Shakir's 100% commitment to his game has been on show even before the 31-year-old signed for the Jalan Besar-based club at the beginning of this year.
Referring to a previous run-in where the then Tanjong Pagar United player put his finger on his lips to silence a cheering UE contingent, Geylang supporter Idi Bakhtiar reflects, "I finally understood why he did that since the day he arrived at Geylang. Because I see that whichever team he plays, he wants to concentrate and give his all for the team."
Also displaying a strong dedication to the Eagles' cause is Shakir's ex-Jaguars clubmate Naquiddin. "His commitment on the pitch is top class. Despite his slight physique, he is not afraid to challenge for the ball," says ardent fan Alex Bong.
Having enjoyed a prolific start to their respective Geylang careers, the duo from Tanjong Pagar would hope to continue pumping in the goals when facing their former employers this Friday (July 19).
In fact, head coach Noor Ali needs to summon every attacking outlet he can muster - including from defence - against a potentially tricky opponent.
After enduring a four-game winless start to the season, the seventh-placed Jaguars have found form of late by winning two of their last three matches.
Also, Tanjong Pagar trainer Hasrin Jailani - who once led Geylang to a League Plate triumph in 2016 - had outsmarted his understudy on the last four occasions with three victories and a draw.
To beat his former mentor this Friday, Noor is likely to stick to his attacking setup with Naqiuddin and Shakir rampaging down the flanks. Who do you bet to come out on top in the goalscoring race after the Jaguars clash?
Team news: Geylang announced earlier in the week on the departure of Sora Tanaka after he had served his five-month loan spell and returned to his parent club Matsumoto Yamaga. This is not likely to affect Noor Ali's gameplan as Tanaka had not been named among the six foreigners in the past four matchday squads.
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