Hougang hoped for a better season with overhaul and South American flair

 

Former Sengkang Punggol and now Hougang United hoped 2011 will be a better year after their overhaul of the club image.

Gone is the familiar dolphin that has graced the club jersey inthe past. In its place comes the speedy cheetah, the fastest animal on land and a common sight in Africa and the Middle East.

The Hougang club also welcomed the club’s new kit sponsor Mitre. The British sportswear company replaces Italian competitors Diadora.

But nothing is important than the quality of the players and the club believed they have achieved that with two new key foreign signings - Argentine midfielder Carlos Alberto Delgado and Brazilian forward Diego Gama de Oliveira.

The duo were spoken well of by newly appointed assistant coach Hasrin Jailani.

“They have given us a good assessment of themselves, the S.League needs more of players like these,” said the 35-year-old.

“Having them here will give us a good boost and an extra cutting edge this season.” Along with that, the Cheetah have also strengthen their locals having signed veteran Noor Ali, utility man Fathi Yunus, former Gombak United winger Fazli Jaffar, centreback Shariff Abdul Samat and prospect Azhar Sairudin.

They have retained newly-appointed captain Fadhil Salim, defenders Duncan David Elias, Ratna Suffian and Lau Meng Meng, midfielder Sobrie Mazelan and foreigners Mamadou Diallo and Jordan Webb.