Hougang United end Geylang International’s unbeaten run with 1-0 win

SINGAPORE – Hit by a spate of injuries, Hougang United have been struggling in this Singapore Premier League season and needed nine matches to register their first win of the campaign in July.

But, at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Aug 2, an inspiring display saw them notch their second victory in three games as they stunned high-flying Geylang International 1-0.

In the process, they bounced back from their 7-1 loss to the Lion City Sailors on July 28 and ended the third-placed Eagles’ 10-match unbeaten streak, offering their fans hope that they have turned the corner.

Striker Dejan Racic’s 35th-minute goal – his fifth in eight appearances to end a four-game goalless run – coupled with a rare clean sheet against a side who have scored the most goals (40) this season, lifted the Cheetahs to sixth in the nine-team table.

Racic, 26, believes they can only get better. The Montenegrin said: “Today was a very tough game playing against an unbeaten team. We showed good character and that we’re a real team… and every game will be better for us.

“We’re working hard, we know what to do on the pitch and I think now’s the time. It’s coming for us and we’ll do great things.”

Captain Nazrul Nazari admitted that they have had a “very hard and demanding” start to the season.

The veteran right-back said: “But we try our best to get the boys together and have a mature conversation, things like playing simple passes and making simple runs. We did what we could and the results came, which was good.

“(The win) was a surprise. We’re not in a good run, but we do our best during training and try to motivate one another, even though our confidence level isn’t high.”

Hougang nearly took the lead in the 33rd minute when Stjepan Plazonja, who was lively on the left wing, saw his shot flash narrowly wide, after a mazy run by Shodai Yokoyama.

Geylang ignored the warning signs and were duly punished two minutes later.

Shodai Yokoyama made another foray into their half and slipped a delightful pass to Racic, who fired his first-time effort past Eagles custodian Rudy Khairullah into the bottom corner.

Geylang had several half-chances in the second half but failed to convert, while Plazonja almost doubled Hougang’s lead in the 68th minute but placed his shot wide. The Cheetahs then defended stoutly to preserve their lead until the end.

Hougang coach Marko Kraljevic described the win as “massive”. He said: “It’s not easy after last week’s result against the Sailors, but the boys showed mental strength which was important and were excellent tonight.

“I’m happy with the clean sheet and our defending of set pieces. We proved people wrong.”

While Kraljevic was delighted with his team’s performance as a unit, Geylang coach Noor Ali highlighted the need for them to stop conceding goals. They have let in 23 goals in 11 games, which included two 4-4 draws.

He added: “It’s a long season and this is just our first loss, so we take the positives, see what went wrong and what to improve on.”

Nazrul, meanwhile, hopes Hougang can carry the winning momentum to the next few games.

He said: “We want to carry this on to the next game, have the same mentality and positive vibe, and win.”

Hougang displayed improvements on all fronts, staying compact against an Eagles offence who have impressed this season, while moving forward confidently especially on the counter-attack. The Cheetahs also showed more grit, winning loose balls against a frustrated Geylang side.