Third in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) and eight points from the summit. Top goalscoring outfit with an astonishing 59 goals scored. Third meanest defence in the league despite keeping only two clean sheets all season. A commendable goal difference of +27, with only Lion City Sailors (LCS) bettering that number.
Geylang International's outstanding achievements at the halfway mark of the SPL campaign have injected newfound hopes among their long-suffering faithful that this could be their season in ending their 23-year title drought.
"I think Geylang have what it takes. Maybe I'm dreaming but it is not impossible," says Ultras Eagles chief Idi Bakhtiar, who has been looking to recover from his traumatic start as an Eagles fan in 2018 which was best remembered for then coach Hirotaka Usui infamously saying "I don't know what happened" after leading his team to a disastrous second-from-bottom finish in the league.
For fellow supporter Nas Marjuki, it is refreshing to see the fallen Singaporean giants doing exceedingly well this season, which places them near the pinnacle of the league table. "It's a nice change to be associated with the title chase rather than being involved with the usual mid-table scrum for past few seasons."
Drawing on his experience of backing Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta in the English Premier League, he sees how the Eagles supporters' patience during those trophyless years has been rewarded by the club's recent superb performances.
The Eagles-cum-Gunners diehard shares, "As fans, not only we had trusted the process of Noor Ali's management, but also we are now in a privileged position of trusting the progress the club is achieving."
With the seemingly unstoppable Eagles marching towards the top, both Idi and Nas are excited for the two-time league champions to have a go in challenging title heavyweights LCS and Tampines Rovers for the elusive crown.
"The team can go head to head with any current SPL team, including the two at the top right now. The next two rounds, every game is important," emphasises Idi. "The team have to play GIFC's football and keep the momentum going."
Perhaps crucially for the title race, Geylang are free from any overseas commitments, unlike their top-two rivals - a point not lost on Nas. "Without the distractions of regional football unlike LCS and BGT, the Eagles could just be in the shout to pip them for the title come May next year," he declares confidently.
But for long-time supporter Muhammad Sufian who has seen it all in his 28 years of supporting the Eagles, he tempers any exuberance of a title talk and hopes the team could stay focused on shrugging off the challenge of fourth-placed rivals and forthcoming opponents Balestier Khalsa, whom they will be facing this Sunday (October 20) at Bishan Stadium.
"The season is still a long way to go. Balestier are just five points behind, breathing down the team's neck," reminds Sufian.
Referring to the Eagles' previous two stalemates with the Tigers earlier this season, he also rues that "the point difference could have been greater if the team did not let slip from winning positions."
In what was an otherwise incredible season, those lost points were the few occasions that had frustrated their loyal faithful.
Nas vividly recollects those heartbreaking moments: "It seems that the Eagles have absolutely no issue to be quick off the blocks, and taking leads into the break against the Tigers. What worries me is the tragic collapse of the team after the second-half kickoff, where in both matches, they allowed the Tigers to come back from the dead and got the equalisers."
With Balestier proving to be Geylang's bogey team in recent seasons, Nas stresses the importance of Noor Ali's side in exercising good game management especially after taking a lead. "They, particularly the experienced heads like Shakir and Vincent, have to ultimately know when to kill off the game, and maintain the lead till the final whistle."
"In Noor Ali we trust" is a mantra that diehard fan Idi has sworn by. Placing his faith on the Eagles' second longest serving coach, he says, "I'm sure Coach NA and the team have looked into those past mistakes. I trust Coach and the team."
For Sufian, nothing less than a full-blooded commitment from the players is expected this Sunday. "I hope the players give their absolute 100% to gain the three points to extend our lead over Balestier. Fight for the badge, fight for the fans that support them, and fight for themselves as a team."
Team news: Iqbal Hussain, who has missed the past two matches to nurse an ankle injury, is a doubt for the Balestier fixture. Even if he is cleared to play this Sunday, one wonders whether he still can regain his spot in the starting 11 with the team doing so well in his absence.
Usual absentees Huzaifah Aziz and Naufal Azman are confirmed out with anterior cruciate ligament and knee injuries, respectively.
Player to watch: Ryoya Taniguchi - The former Balestier Khalsa midfielder, who had a successful two-year spell with the Bishan-based club, will be hoping to break his duck against his ex-employers since signing for Geylang before the start of this season. Having previously blanked in the season opener against the Tigers and missed out on the corresponding fixture due to a shoulder injury, the 25-year-old Japanese is raring to add on to his tally of six goals in this campaign.
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