Competition: Geylang United FC vs Paya Lebar Punggol
FC
Date & Time: 6 May 2005 7:00:00 PM
Venue: Bedok
O'Donell: Pointless Paya Lebar spells peril
Their opponents may have lost all eight of their games so
far.
But Geylang United coach Scott ODonell still urged caution as he
leads his troops out to face cellar-dwellars Paya Lebar Punggol at
the Bedok Stadium on Friday.
Even though the Seahorses have not earned a single point over eight
matches, O'Donell believes that they could be counted on to put up
a hard and determined fight.
He said: Paya Lebar will work very hard. We will have to match
them and try to impose ourselves on the match.
Having watched the Seahorses over the season, the Eagles coach,
too, felt that Paya Lebar have been getting better as a team.
He said: I dont think that the game against Paya Lebar is a sure
win for us. I have watched them five times this year and they have
been steadily improving.
They have been giving teams like Sinchi and Albirex a hard time. I
dont think it will be easy for us.
That aside, the Geylang coach will certainly like to see his team
pick up the full three points as their season has not exactly got
off to a flying start.
Last week, the Eagles fell to defeat at the Choa Chu Kang stadium.
The Eagles were edged out 0-1 as they failed to convert their early
chances.
With only two wins after eight matches, the Eagles are currently
lying in seventh position. Another win will ensure that they jump
one position up ahead of the Young Lions, based on goal
difference.
However, the Eagles will be missing the services of two of their
key players, Rudy Khairon and Christian Cevenini, who will not be
in action on Friday due to injury.
Paya Lebar, on the other hand, will be boosted by the return of
striker Protais Bessala. The Cameroonian, who got himself
needlessly sent off against Tampines Rovers, will be back in action
after missing two games due to suspension.
His return will provide the Seahorses with the much-needed
firepower upfront as Paya Lebar has only scored one goal in their
last five matches.
S.Senthilan who has been ploughing alone upfront most of the time
will definitely welcome his compatriot Protais Bessala back as the
Seahorses go in search of the elusive first point.
Paya Lebar will be more than ever determined to find their first
point.
But you can bet that Geylang will be just as determined not to be
the first to lose points to them.