Football: Ambitious Hougang United show title promise, but face tough start in Tampines Rovers
SINGAPORE - In six months, Hougang United have transformed themselves from wooden spoonists to dark horses for the Singapore Premier League (SPL) title.
The Cheetahs, boosted by several key signings in the off-season, face an immediate test of their title credentials in their opener - five-time champions Tampines Rovers.
To boost a blunt forward line, which saw just 22 goals in 24 games last year, they have reunited Singapore international Faris Ramli and Croatian striker Stipe Plazibat.
The duo plundered 58 goals in all competitions for Home United in 2017 before spending last season abroad at separate clubs.
They have also brought in other Lions like Hafiz Abu Sujad and Afiq Yunos, and re-signed Zulfahmi Arifin after his one season with Thai side Chonburi.
The moves have had some touting Hougang as title contenders.
It is quite a turnaround, considering that Hougang were last in the nine-team SPL last year and have never finished in the top half of the league.
Their best results were finishing runners-up in the League Cup in 2007 and 2011.
Head coach Clement Teo is confident of ending the barren run, saying: "Looking at the players we have, we know we can win silverware. But we are also aware that no games have been played yet.
"On paper, yes, we look fantastic and I have no doubt about my players' capabilities. What we need to do now is to get them to work together, on and off the field."
The club have failed to deliver on pre-season hype before.
In 2016, they signed the league's reigning Player of the Year Fumiya Kogure, only to end up sixth out of nine teams. A year later, they roped in Philippe Aw, who built a stylish Home United team over two seasons and brought with him two key men, Zulfahmi and Azhar Sairudin. Again, the Cheetahs finished sixth.
While Teo is bullish this year will be different, he expects a difficult start against Tampines, and terms his team firm underdogs for the tie.
Tampines, seen by some as favourites for the SPL crown, thrashed defending champions Albirex Niigata 4-0 in a friendly two weeks ago, and then won 3-1 at Myanmar league and Cup champions Yangon United in the AFC Cup last Tuesday.
Tampines' strongest XI are almost unchanged from last season. Hougang midfielder Fabian Kwok says that while this consistency is beneficial, he believes that Hougang are better equipped against strong teams this term.
"Last year, we had good players and were competitive in many games," said the 29-year-old, who has been with Hougang since 2017.
"But we lacked the experience, and often lost by one goal to the top teams. This year, we've signed players who are established and they bring that experience we need."
Plazibat, who scored 25 league goals in 22 games for Home in 2017, stressed that the best chance of victory today is through their strength as a unit.
"We are aware of our capabilities (as players) but individual players don't guarantee you anything, you need a team," said the 29-year-old.
"We are very serious about wanting to start the season on a high, because it will be very difficult later on if we don't collect points early.
"My target this season is to win (silverware) with the team. If I score many goals along the way, that's a bonus."
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#mane #commento #frasitrap #cristianoronaldo #Barcelona #elcasico #freekick #BMW #thomasmeunier #petercrouch #cappucino #klopp #premierleague #romania #soccermemes #gym #arsenal #footballfans #arsenalfantv #nikesoccer #footballmemes #sixtimes #americanfootball #realmadrid #chocolate #GarageCafeDxb #juventus #kickoff #fcbarcelona #Liverpool #trollfootball #liverpoolfans #londoncity #meunier #midnight #manchestercity #nutmeg #liverpoolfc #Sunday #zidane #4Series #oasisofficial #crossfit #salah #liverpoolcity #Celtic #girlsniteout #myfootballuniverse #football #MyDubai #satira #liverpool #noelgallagher #neymar #Bar #uefanationsleague #kroenkeout #league2 #copaamerica #cr7 #streamingbolaid #freekickerz #alissonbecker #beatifulgame #thebeatles #boxing #arsenalnews #goodday #manchestercity #oasisandbeatles #oudmehta #ronaldo #golazo #freekicks #seriea #bayervshoffenheim #vip #chocolatecoffee
SINGAPORE - In six months, Hougang United have transformed themselves from wooden spoonists to dark horses for the Singapore Premier League (SPL) title.
The Cheetahs, boosted by several key signings in the off-season, face an immediate test of their title credentials in their opener - five-time champions Tampines Rovers.
To boost a blunt forward line, which saw just 22 goals in 24 games last year, they have reunited Singapore international Faris Ramli and Croatian striker Stipe Plazibat.
The duo plundered 58 goals in all competitions for Home United in 2017 before spending last season abroad at separate clubs.
They have also brought in other Lions like Hafiz Abu Sujad and Afiq Yunos, and re-signed Zulfahmi Arifin after his one season with Thai side Chonburi.
The moves have had some touting Hougang as title contenders.
It is quite a turnaround, considering that Hougang were last in the nine-team SPL last year and have never finished in the top half of the league.
Their best results were finishing runners-up in the League Cup in 2007 and 2011.
Head coach Clement Teo is confident of ending the barren run, saying: "Looking at the players we have, we know we can win silverware. But we are also aware that no games have been played yet.
"On paper, yes, we look fantastic and I have no doubt about my players' capabilities. What we need to do now is to get them to work together, on and off the field."
The club have failed to deliver on pre-season hype before.
In 2016, they signed the league's reigning Player of the Year Fumiya Kogure, only to end up sixth out of nine teams. A year later, they roped in Philippe Aw, who built a stylish Home United team over two seasons and brought with him two key men, Zulfahmi and Azhar Sairudin. Again, the Cheetahs finished sixth.
While Teo is bullish this year will be different, he expects a difficult start against Tampines, and terms his team firm underdogs for the tie.
Tampines, seen by some as favourites for the SPL crown, thrashed defending champions Albirex Niigata 4-0 in a friendly two weeks ago, and then won 3-1 at Myanmar league and Cup champions Yangon United in the AFC Cup last Tuesday.
Tampines' strongest XI are almost unchanged from last season. Hougang midfielder Fabian Kwok says that while this consistency is beneficial, he believes that Hougang are better equipped against strong teams this term.
"Last year, we had good players and were competitive in many games," said the 29-year-old, who has been with Hougang since 2017.
"But we lacked the experience, and often lost by one goal to the top teams. This year, we've signed players who are established and they bring that experience we need."
Plazibat, who scored 25 league goals in 22 games for Home in 2017, stressed that the best chance of victory today is through their strength as a unit.
"We are aware of our capabilities (as players) but individual players don't guarantee you anything, you need a team," said the 29-year-old.
"We are very serious about wanting to start the season on a high, because it will be very difficult later on if we don't collect points early.
"My target this season is to win (silverware) with the team. If I score many goals along the way, that's a bonus."
Apr 27, 2019 · Ryan Babel scored in the 79th minute to give Fulham a 1-0 home victory which leaves Cardiff on the brink of relegation. a superb strike from Ryan Babel shattered Cardiff's hopes of piling
Babel strike leaves Cardiff on brink of relegation - Football
Football News. March 7, 2019 / 8:20 PM / 3 months ago. Soccer-10-man Arsenal slump in Rennes, Sevilla held. Andrew Downie. Sevilla, who have won the Europa League three times, twice went ahead
10-man Arsenal slump in Rennes, Sevilla held - bdnews24.com
Klopp hails Salah as he targets 97-point total LONDON • Jurgen Klopp was "blown away" by the brilliance of Mohamed Salah's strike against Chelsea as he urged Liverpool to produce a flawless finish to the English Premier League title race.
Jurgen Klopp hails Liverpool's fighting spirit as he sets
Allegri leaves behind 'solid' Juventus ROME • Massimiliano Allegri believes that he is leaving behind a squad strong enough to win the Champions League next season, after it was confirmed on Friday that the Juventus coach will depart the club at the end of this season.
Allegri To Leave Juventus At The End Of The Season
Pochettino's side would have moved within two points of leaders Manchester City with a win at Turf Moor. But they squandered the chance to enhance their title prospects with a sloppy display that
China's defender Zheng Zhi, ground, and South Korea's forward Son Heung-Min fight for the ball during the AFC Asian Cup group C soccer match between South Korea and China at Al Nahyan Stadium in
Asian Cup: South Korea beat China to win group - BBC Sport
Son's late winner gives Tottenham edge over Man City the South Korean's late goal secured a 1-0 home win over Manchester City in an absorbing Champions League quarter-final first leg on
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Man City's Aguero in frame to face Brighton in FA Cup Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero will travel with the rest of their squad for their FA Cup semi-final against Brighton and Hove
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May 30, 2019 · Barcelona had reached the Champions League semi-final; the others had long gone. Valencia didn't get out of the group and, in the knockout rounds, Madrid fell first, their season effectively
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LONDON (REUTERS) - AFC Wimbledon delivered an FA Cup fourth-round shock as the League One strugglers humbled Premier League West Ham United 4-2 in a gripping tie in south-west London on Saturday
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Australia, after a shocking loss to Jordan in the opener, aim to spring back to keep their chances alive in the Asian Cup. Image Credit: AP Al Ain: Australia must adapt to the defensive style of
Asian Cup 2019: Australia vs Jordan result, goals, highlights
MANCHESTER: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrated his first game as permanent Manchester United manager with a 2-1 Premier League win over Watford at Old Trafford on Saturday. It was a far from impressive performance from United but goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial earned the victory which moved them up to fourth in the table, level on
Man Utd 2-1 Watford | Rashford & Martial Goals Give Ole Win
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