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."
Football: Diehard Malaysian fans sell prized memorabilia to fund trip for AFF Suzuki Cup final against Vietnam HANOI (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Two die-hard Malaysian fans sold their prized Ultras Malaya memorabilia to fund their trip to Hanoi to watch the return leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup final between Malaysia and Vietnam.
Diehard fans sell their prized memorabilia to fund their trip
* Everton at Spurs next, Burnley host Arsenal EVERTON 2 BURNLEY 0 May 3 (Reuters) - Everton bolstered their chances of qualifying for next season's Europa League with a 2-0 win over Burnley in the
Everton ease past Burnley to keep UEFA Europa League dream
Solskjaer rues missed chances. 2:45 Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says Manchester United created some great chances but did not take them in their 2-0 defeat to Arsenal. Watch Next. Carvalhal lauds Prem
Solskjaer Rues Missed Chances - Complete Sports
Claude Puel: Sacked Leicester boss says it was his 'honour' to manage Premier League side "It was my honour to work for the late and much loved Khun Vichai, who gave me the fantastic
Sacked Puel says managing Leicester a 'honour' | Sport24
Man City's De Bruyne upbeat as he bids to put injuries behind him The Belgium international, who has been limited to just 96 minutes of league football so far this season, started the midweek
Man City's De Bruyne Upbeat as He Bids to Put Injuries Behind Him
"Man United, Inter, Juventus and Tottenham are clubs with strong support in the region, and we believe the fans will be happy to see them in action." AIA Group Chief Executive and President, Ng Keng Hooi, added: "AIA is proud to be the Presenting Partner of the 2019 ICC Singapore, especially during our Centennial year.
Blues expect hard time at Fulham after Ranieri exit. Mar 3, 2019, 5:00 am. Football: Winks strikes late to hand Spurs vital victory. Jan 21, 2019, 3:05 am.
Claudio Ranieri press conference live: Fulham boss on
Brandon Ingram had a team-high 20 points for the Lakers, who fell to 6-12 without James in their line-up. 2019, with the headline 'Players confront coach after James-less Lakers' loss'.
Players confront coach after James-less Lakers' loss
ABU DHABI (AFP) - Qatar punished unwelcoming hosts United Arab Emirates 4-0 in a politically charged clash marred by disgraceful behaviour from shoe-throwing fans on Tuesday (Jan 29) to reach
Qatar thrash UAE amid shoe barrage to reach Asian Cup final
newburghgazette.com/2019/01/30/qatar-thrash-uae-amid-shoe-barrage-to-reach-asian-cup-final/
A regional boycott of Qatar, led by Saudi Arabia, has impacted the team's logistics at the Asian Cup and made it hard for the country's fans to attend games. Qatar banned products originating from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Bahrain, in May 2018.
Qatar thrash UAE amid shoe barrage to reach Asian Cup final
Football: Pep Guardiola sorry to have derailed Manuel
Football: Jose Mourinho's highs and lows at Manchester United
Emery, whose fifth-placed crew are some extent behind Chelsea with a recreation in hand, mentioned: "We may be pissed off (with the loss to Palace), however tomorrow get up and be prepared for the sport in opposition to Wolves. "It is going to be very difficult, but it is in our hands." AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE. WOLVES V ARSENAL
US stocks edge down as Fed stays dovish on rates
LONDON: Maurizio Sarri has downplayed Pep Guardiola's suggestion that Chelsea are still in the Premier League title race as he prepares his team to face leaders Manchester City on Sunday. The 60-year-old Italian said his side were "lucky" to beat City in December when they ended the champions
Chelsea not in Premier League title race, says Sarri
Norwich City have been promoted back to the Premier League after a three-year absence, while Sheffield United are on the brink of having their own promotion confirmed. Following their relegation in 2016, it has been somewhat of a stagnant couple of seasons for the Canaries, finishing eighth and 14th respectively.
Sheffield United promoted to Premier League - ProSoccerTalk
watch coppa america live streaming spain
watch soccer online free streaming live arabic
watch coppa america live streaming bt sport
watch soccer online free streaming live hd
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online reddit
watch coppa america live streaming hd
watch soccer live streaming qatar
watch champions league live streaming live free
watch champions league live stream gratis
watch barclays premier league online live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming nz
watch coppa america live streaming putlockers
watch champions league live streaming match
watch coppa america live streaming tv
watch soccer live stream hunter
watch bangladesh premier league live streaming free
watch premier league live streaming vk
watch live streaming of premier league football
watch coppa america live streaming ufc
watch coppa america live streaming sub eng
watch soccer live streaming kenya vs ethiopia
watch uefa champions league live streaming free online youtube
watch premier league games live stream
watch soccer online free streaming live reddit
how to watch premier league live streaming
watch live english premier league online free streaming
watch coppa america live streaming youtube
where to watch premier league live streaming
watch champions league live streaming bola
how to watch champions league live streaming
free watch soccer live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming crictime
watch karnataka premier league live streaming
soccer tv live football streaming reddit
watch champions league live stream uk
watch coppa america live streaming free online
watch premier league live streaming online - soccer portal
watch champions league live streaming live
watch coppa america live streaming zee5
watch soccer online free streaming live iphone
watch champions league live streaming bt sport
watch coppa america live streaming ronaldo 7
watch coppa america live streaming xbox one
watch premier league live stream reddit
watch premier league live streaming quality
how to watch soccer live streaming free
watch uefa champions league live streaming youtube
watch coppa america live streaming manchester united
soccer tv live football streaming garuda select
super soccer tv live streaming garuda select
watch champions league final online free live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming canada
khan tv pw watch indian premier league 2018 live streaming
watch champions league live streaming espn
watch champions league live streaming zee tv
watch premier league live streaming online - soccer portal
watch coppa america live streaming bein sport
watch champions league final live streaming
watch coppa america live streaming live
watch afghanistan premier league live stream
watch coppa america live streaming jamaica
watch coppa america live streaming in india
watch soccer online free streaming live world cup
watch soccer online free streaming live first row
watch live premier league football streaming online for free iraqgoals
watch soccer am online live streaming
watch soccer live streaming hd
watch soccer live football streaming - ronaldo7.net
free live football streams watch live streaming tv premier league
watch premier league matches live streaming
watch premier league live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch coppa america live streaming ronaldo7
watch champions league live streaming mobile
watch coppa america live streaming reddit
watch live soccer streaming free android
watch premier league live streaming xbox
watch champions league live streaming xbox
watch soccer live streaming xbox one
watch coppa america live streaming indosiar
watch coppa america live streaming yify
watch coppa america live streaming juventus vs manchester united
watch soccer am live stream
live ipl live streaming- watch indian premier league 2013 online
watch coppa america live streaming hotstar
watch coppa america live streaming mobile
watch uefa champions league quarter final draw live streaming
watch premier league live streaming youtube
watch coppa america live streaming online
watch champions league live streaming kenya
watch premier league live streaming zee tv
watch soccer live streaming jamaica
watch live streaming soccer manchester united
watch live soccer streaming on android
live football watch free live football streaming free soccer
watch english premier league live streaming hd
watch coppa america live streaming game
watch coppa america live streaming match
watch iceland soccer live stream
watch indian premier league live streaming
watch epl live streaming free no sign up
watch soccer live streaming zee tv
watch premier league live streaming live
watch soccer online free streaming live espn
watch champions league soccer live streaming
watch live soccer streaming on iphone
watch coppa america live streaming hd free
watch soccer live streaming reddit
watch uefa champions league final live streaming free online
watch soccer world cup live streaming
watch champions league live streaming cricfree
watch soccer games live stream free
watch soccer live streaming zimbabwe
watch coppa america live streaming video
watch coppa america live streaming usa
soccer tv live football streaming gratuit
watch coppa america live streaming indonesia
watch soccer online free live streaming livetv ru
watch champions league live streaming bein sport
watch barclays premier league live streaming online free
where to watch free live soccer streaming online
#battuteepiche #kopisusu #manchestercity #soccer #transfernews #champion #mancity #afcnews #tokyo #knuckleball #salah #henderson #gooners #serieatim #chocolate #lovefootball #adidasslipon #oasisofficial #klopp #seriea #footballmeme #leomessi #coys #sumbertv #conference #Sunday #satira #manchestercity #Celtic #24x7 #jadwalbolahariini #ucl #vip #liverpool #cristianoronaldo #footballstreaming #goal #coyg #frasirap #football #arsenalfantv #comico #pagani #rugby #Liamgallagher #england #barcelona #commento #freekickerz #liverpool #Barcelona #cr7 #rockstar #goodday #bayernmunich #midnight
No comments:
Post a Comment