Match Preview: Eagles Hope to Bring League Momentum into Cup Run

Photo credit: Geylang International FC

The announcement of the 2025/2026 Singapore Cup fixtures on October 24, albeit a short notice, could not have come at a better time for the in-form Geylang International.

Grouped with Albirex Niigata, Balestier Khalsa, Hougang United, and Tanjong Pagar United with the top-two teams facing either Lion City Sailors or Tampines Rovers in the semi-finals, the Eagles are hoping that their winning momentum in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) will give them a lift in the cup run.

After enduring an underwhelming start with one point from two games, the two-time league champions then picked up steam by stringing three consecutive league victories to soar to second in the table.

Says fervent Geylang fan Muhammad Sufian, "In the SPL, we already collected six points from two of our opponents [Hougang and Tanjong Pagar]. A bad result against Albirex is so far our only loss in the league."

Invoking fond memories of the 2009 Singapore Cup triumph, he gives an upbeat assessment of his beloved team's prospect of going far in this 26th edition. "Hopefully, we can have the same form to garner maximum points against all opponents to solidify us as one of the favourites to win the cup."

Ultras Eagles drummer Nash concurs that the Eagles will have a good cup outing. "I think Geylang stand a good chance of advancing to the semis. But let's take one step at a time starting with the upcoming match against Albirex on Saturday (November 1)."

On the back of a winning run of three consecutive league matches, confidence is high in the Eagles camp ahead of their cup opener against the White Swans. "Let's start off with a win," Nash urges his side to go for all three points.

While long-time supporter Sufian is not taking a positive result for granted especially with Geylang's earlier defeat to their forthcoming opponents, he has identified a couple of his heroes in green who can turn the contest in their favour.

"Joshua Pereira and Nikola Ignjatovic have improved after the previous loss to the White Swans and have a better understanding with each other. Now that Shuhei Hoshino has broken his goalscoring duck, hopefully he can bang another against his former club together with the rest of the Japanese legion in the team," shares the encyclopedic diehard who marks his 29th year supporting the Eagles.

Perhaps the fallen Singaporean giants - who last won a trophy (Singapore League Plate) in 2016 - might give their long-suffering fans like Nash and Sufian something to cheer about by clinching the domestic cup competition.

Team news: Geylang are issued a clean bill of health with head coach Noor Ali having a full squad at his disposal.

Player to watch: Nikola Ignjatovic - The no-nonsense Serbian centreback takes no prisoners when it comes to the art of defending. Always putting his body on the line with full-blooded headers and tackles, he - together with defensive partner Joshua Pereira - has a big role to play in snuffing out the White Swans attacking threats.