It is forecast to be raining goals at Jurong East Stadium this Saturday (September 28) when Geylang International and Tanjong Pagar United face off for the second time this season.
With the league's best attacking outfit versus the weakest defence, the Eagles fans are looking forward to an entertaining spectacle with their beloved team pummelling goals against their local rivals.
Geylang's chances in front of goal are helped by Tanjong Pagar newly minted head coach Hyrizan Jufri's deep-seated belief in playing attacking football regardless of the strength of his opponents.
In his first press interview soon after his appointment on September 3, he laid down his tactical philosophy in no uncertain terms.
"We're going forward to score more goals. So I might take some risks on the defensive side. So you will see more forward play up front and for us, it's just about looking for some goals."
In the ensuing two fixtures since he took charge, the former Tampines Rovers assistant coach paid a heavy price for his unwavering conviction in playing attacking football as he saw his team suffering lopsided defeats to Lion City Sailors and Albirex Niigata, conceding 10 goals in the process.
However, Hyrizan remained defiant in sticking to his cause in a post-match interview. "I'll not stop here. I have to be honest with you, at the end of the day, we have nothing to lose. I'm here to actually create something from negative to positive. The only way to win games is to go forward as much."
While the freescoring Eagles should have a field day in search for goals, their fans highlight that their team could work more in sharpening their attack.
Diehard supporter Terence Yip, who has passionately cheered on Geylang since his childhood days, says, "I hope to see more supply of good crosses this time round. For the past two to three matches, the crosses aren't really good because there are no attacking players in the box to receive those crosses."
Also, it is not to be taken for granted that the Eagles will not be troubled at the back, with their unreliable defence keeping only two clean sheets in 15 league matches this campaign.
The Geylang faithful are hoping that their back four could put in an improved defensive showing.
"I hope the defence can try to stay compact and not let in silly goals," says pioneering Ultras Eagles member Nashrudin Daud. Concurring with Nash is fellow fan Muhd Hairul. "I would like to see the defence improve minute by minute."
With the overachieving Eagles defying bookmakers' expectations and sitting in third place, just 10 points off the league summit, their long-suffering supporters now have a rare chance to dream of the improbable — reclaiming the league title last won in 2001.
Says a hopeful Terence ahead of the weekend clash, "My wish is for the team to get the three points. It can be a chance to close up the gap if possible."
Team news: Head coach Noor Ali remains without the services of Huzaifah Aziz and Naufal Azman, who are out with anterior cruciate ligament and ankle injuries, respectively.
Player to watch: Tomoyuki Doi - With Tanjong Pagar's expansive play, the Japanese hitman, who has been in sensational form this campaign with 25 goals in 15 games - will have all the time and space to find goalscoring opportunities. The conditions could not be better for Doi to try to break the league's record of scoring the most goals in a single match, which currently stands at five.
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