[Open Letter from the Fans] Bring Back the Geylang Boleh Fighting Spirit We Deserve

"Defeat." A terse one-word post on Geylang International Facebook page in the aftermath of the club's heavy 5-2 mauling to Balestier Khalsa on 20 February sums up the indifferent mood around the Eagles Nest in the ongoing 2025/2026 season.

That unexpected scoreline - on the back of a woeful run since November which included six defeats in nine games in all competitions - marked a new low for the fallen Singaporean giants, piling on the misery from their early elimination in the group stage of the Singapore Cup followed by a freefall from second to fifth in the eight-team Singapore Premier League (SPL).

"Absence of Doi" and "untimely injuries to key players" have been raised by the beleaguered club (and verified by fan discussions and news reports) to explain away the disastrous sequence.

While such statements in defence of underwhelming results are not uncommonly heard within the footballing world, what has been the most disheartening for fans is the lack of fighting spirit from the players even before kick-off.

Coupled with the players heading into the game not fully match fit, they were often slow off the blocks, handing the initiative to their opponents in controlling the opening exchanges.

As the minutes ticked by, play became lethargic, pedestrian, and devoid of attacking invention - a dull and uninspiring watch for the dwindling group of supporters turning up on matchdays.

Frustrations from the faithful had reached boiling point when even the most loyal and ardent diehards were calling for a replacement of Noor Ali as head coach. This was an unthinkable prospect considering the club legend has been regarded and still remains a well-loved figure among the Eagles community.

Evoking a chicken-and-egg argument, words have been emanating from the Geylang camp that players are not performing to their level best due to the diehard supporter group Ultras Eagles barely showing up in the terraces.

However, it can also be argued that respect has to be earned. In fact, fans are simply asking the players to exhibit the Geylang Boleh fighting spirit, which even in the toughest of circumstances, offers a sliver of hope for a victory. It is this hope that makes supporters look forward to every fixture with anticipation, which then translates to boisterous support from the stands.

With Geylang's dismal form seeing no let up after a disappointing 1-1 draw against cellar dwellers Young Lions on 26 February, the forthcoming Saturday contest with league leaders Lion City Sailors offers no respite in halting a further slide down the SPL table.

One wonders if the sleeping giants, who last won a silverware 10 years ago, will ever wake up from their deep slumber and salvage whatever pride there is from a failing campaign.