Its early times yet but Geylang United will be hoping for many
more victories like these.
On Saturday, the revamped Eagles cruised past their opponents from
Police Sports Academy 4-0 at the Bedok Stadium in a friendly
encounter. All goals came courtesy of their new signings
Masrezwan Masturi, a goal each for Brazilians Rivaldo and Junior as
well as one from Slovakian Miroslav Latiak.
Over the next fortnight, the Eagles will be heading over to Penang
and Johor for more pre-season friendlies: Chinese Recreation Club
and Kampong Seronong F.C in Penang and Pasir Gudang F.C and Johor
Melody FC in Johor.
Having undergone the physical phase of training since the tail-end
of last year, the Eagles are now into phase two - match
preparedness, as they seek to gel as a potent and unified
force.
Their Slovakian coach Jozef Herel will be their driving force with
Geylang looking to recapture the past glories that their
all-conquering side of the 1980s and 1990s were used to.
Herel has comprehensively rebuilt the squad from the one he took
over in October and already the team is looking full of promise and
a definite force to be reckoned with in 2008.
The proud Eagles have revamped almost their entire team from last
season introducing bite not only in attack but also boosting
their midfield and strengthening their defence.
And while the regular reliables are still available - the likes of
defenders Noh Rahman and Aide Iskandar and striker Fadzuhasny
Juraimi, the Eagles have also lost some quality players like
custodian Hassan Sunny and defensive pillar Razaleigh Khalik.
Geylangs newly introduced players are:
1) Farizal Basri (forward from Balestier Khalsa)
2) Masrezwan Masturi (forward from SAF FC)
3) Noor Ali (midfielder from SAF FC)
4) Faizal Senin (defender from Gombak United)
5) Amos Boon (goalkeeper from Sengkang Punggol)
6) Fabian Tan (defender from Young Lions)
7) Baihakki Khaizan (defender from Young Lions)
8) Fazrul Nawaz (forward/winger from Young Lions)
9) Rivaldo (forward from Brazil; played in Brazilian and Indonesian
leagues)
10) Junior (forward from Brazil; played in Brazilian and Chinese
leagues)
11) Miroslav Latiak (forward from Slovakia; played in Malaysias
Super League)
12) Ratislav Belicak (defensive midfielder from Slovakia; played in
Malaysias Super League)
Also coming into Geylangs S.League squad will be 23 year-old
midfielder Shah Hirul from the Eagles Prime League team that won
the Singapore Pools FA Cup.
And so it begins, the seeds having already been sown as Geylang
United build towards what is looking like a very interesting 2008
NTUC Income-YEO'S S.League season ahead.