Former S.League aristocrats Geylang United have identified their
backline as the key to resurgence as they seek to end a three-year
run of finishing outside the leagues top three.
The 1996 and 2001 league champions had finished the 2006 season
second from bottom, one place lower than their final position the
year before.
Along the way, the Eagles had conceded 62 goals in 30 league games,
or an average of 2.07 goals per game. Only bottom club Sengkang
Punggol had let in more.
The statistics mark a far cry from Geylangs more glorious days,
when they were regular title challengers and had conceded no more
than 1.32 goals on average each season.
The Geylang management, frustrated by the teams poor defensive
record in recent years, has taken action by putting the backline as
the section most warranting attention.
Of the ten players retained for the 2007 Eagles squad, six are in
the defensive department, including club captain Noh Rahman and
national No.2 custodian Hassan Sunny.
Razaleigh Khalik and S. Rajendran are also among those staying at
Geylang next season, after the club was robbed of their services
for substantial periods of 2006 through injury.
In addition, the club has acted to further strengthen its defence
by signing defender Dennis Lim, one of Sengkangs better performers
this season.
Eagles coach Lim Tong Hai confirmed the clubs plans as he spoke to
sleague.com at the clubs annual childrens football camp,
co-organized with South East Community Development Council.
The direction the club wants to take should be clear, said the
former national defender.
There is a certain system we have decided we want to play.
Obviously, we are keeping or trying to get players who we think
will fit into that system.
You can see that we didnt do that well this year defensively, so
were working to buck up in that area. Apart from what is done,
other measures are currently in the pipeline.
Recent rumours have linked the Bedok-based club with a shock swoop
for former Home United and Tampines Rovers defender Aide Iskandar,
who will be out of contract on 1 January 2007.
The national team captain will not be returning to Malaysian
Premier League side Johor FA, who had merged with Pasir Gudang
United last month to form Johor-Pasir Gudang.
Aide was one of Johor FAs two foreign players in the previous
Malaysian Premier League season, the other being former Woodlands
Wellington midfielder Ahmad Latiff.
When asked about the rumoured move, Aide confirmed that he is
currently talking to the club, but said no deal had been confirmed
as yet.
Yes, there have been talks, acknowledged the 31-year-old.
Nothing has been agreed yet between both parties, though. Ive
heard people saying the deal is done, but thats not true.
Aides statements were echoed by Lim, who also revealed that the
club may be considering alternative targets from overseas to
further beef up the teams backline.
I wont deny it; we are indeed in the midst of talks with Aide,
said the 37-year-old.
Hes a big name, and hopefully things will turn out fine. We are
also considering the possibility of signing a foreign defender as
well, and that will add to our options.
It shouldnt be a problem to our current players. Fadhil and Noh
Rahman can be used in different positions, so we can fit in all the
talents we have without leaving too many out.
On the attacking front, the Eagles will welcome back Syed Thaha,
who had joined the Young Lions early this year after impressing for
Geylang at Prime League level.
The 21-year-old is expected to offer some stiff opposition to
Razali Johari on the left wing. 23-year-olds Lau Meng Meng and Che
Mukammil, should they be promoted from the Prime League squad, will
further add to the challenge for places.
But Lim has quashed suggestions that he would be rushing several
members of his Prime League-winning team into the S.League squad,
believing that the youngsters still have room for growth before
they are ready for senior action.
They will thus be working under former Eagles forward D. Tokijan,
who has recently joined the club to succeed Lim as Prime League
coach.
There is no rush to promote this years Prime League boys, said
Lim.
Most of them are only 19 or 20, and are still eligible to play at
Prime League level. We would like to see how they would develop
under our new Prime League coach.
Tokijan is coming in to help us out, and I think hed like to work
with these boys to see what theyre like. Were looking forward to
seeing them continue their growth.
Of course, if the opportunity is there for them to be promoted,
well think about giving them the promotion. But some of them are
also entering the force for National Service, so we will have to
see whether we can sign them.