Sunday, July 18, 2010

S-league Preview

Last week Preview - 3 right and 4 wrong

Young Lions vs Woodlands Wellington
Young Lions captain Hariss Harun is back and well-rested and he could be the key to whether the Cubs go back to their winning ways. Sundram have to show more courage and play the established international in midfield where he can drive the Cubs like last week; when two goals down, he went back to his midfielder role late in the game and nearly inspired an incredible comeback. Hariss Harun is that good and should be given his role at the heart of midfield now when the Cubs need it. If Sundram do that, then picking off the Rams will not be a problem as nobody in the Rams engine room can match Hariss Harun. 3-1 to Cubs (If their skipper play in midfield)

SAFFC vs Geylang United
The Warriors will be shorthanded in attack as both Latiff and Wilkinson had collected their seventh yellow. So the rest of the team will have to step up and be counted. One player looking to do that will be Indra as he must be looking to atone for his penalty miss last week. Is that good enough? I think so as the Warriors still have the likes of Jerkovic, Park, Mustaqim and Taisuke etc and they looked good enough to overpower an Eagles side known more for their defending than attacking. Score first and the Eagles will be beaten. 1-0 to SAFFC

Albirex Niigata (S) vs Tampines Rovers
The Stags will be missing their topscorer Qiu Li but there is still no excuse they cannot win this game. Their squad is still superior to their opponent even without the Lions forward. If they cannot defeat the White Swans, just because Qiu Li is not playing, then they should give up their championship hopes. They are that good even without 1 or 2 of their established players and they need to prove it. 3-1 to Tampines Rovers

Beijing Gouan (S) vs Etoile FC
The Stags should have taken top spot already but no fear for Etoile FC. They can win it back with a win over Beijing and one cannot see them failing. The Chinese side are outmatched for this encounter and the French will get their 3 points. 3-0 to Etoile FC

Sengkang Punggol vs Balestier Khalsa
The Tiger are going through a rut at the moment and need an easy team. Then, the Dolphins game have come in time as like the Rams game, almost, 3 weeks ago, they are beatable and the Tigers have the strength to achieve that outcome. Rivaldo is the key while the Dolphins have none of that. 2-0 to Balestier Khalsa

Woodlands Wellington vs Beijing Gouan (S)
During the last encounter, I had went for Woodlands Wellington due to Abdelhadi Laakkad factor and although it did not work out as the Rams defence generously gave the Chinese side two goals in return, I am willing to pump for the Rams again. First, this is not the same Chinese side as their best players were recruited for their Olympic team. Second, the Rams have shown they can hold out against teams without an established attack and that is Beijing weakness. They no longer have a threat like Tan Tiancheng. So the Abdelhadi Laakkad factor may work out this time round. 2-0 to Woodlands Wellington

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