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Hougang eager to win club’s first-ever silverware tonight

SINGAPORE — It is not the main show of the night. Instead, this evening’s Singapore League Cup plate final (5pm) between Hougang United and Geylang International at the Jalan Besar Stadium is the curtain-raiser for the actual final between Albirex Niigata and Brunei DPMM at 8pm.

SINGAPORE — It is not the main show of the night. Instead, this evening’s Singapore League Cup plate final (5pm) between Hougang United and Geylang International at the Jalan Besar Stadium is the curtain-raiser for the actual final between Albirex Niigata and Brunei DPMM at 8pm.

But Hougang are still determined to come out on top in the plate competition, which was organised for the bottom two teams of each group, for just one simple reason: They want to win the club’s first-ever piece of silverware.

Since 1998, when Marine Castle first joined the S.League before undergoing several changes over the years to eventually become Hougang United in 2011, the Cheetahs have never won the S.League title, the Singapore Cup nor the League Cup.

That is why Hougang head coach K Balagumaran will have no problems motivating his players for the biggest game in the club’s history.

“If we win, we make history. I think that is enough to keep the team motivated,” he told TODAY. “The players’ confidence has grown throughout the competition and they now have the belief that they can perform above expectations.

“This is their golden opportunity to have a small taste of glory. Hopefully, it can then spur them on to achieve our target of a top-five finish in the league, and aim for better in the coming years.”

Hougang have been using the League Cup to give playing time to fringe players such as Nur Na’iim, Khairulnizam Jumahat and Iqbal Hussain. Former Young Lions striker Iqbal, in particular, has impressed with his composure on the ball, and his two goals.

“I have not been able to play a big role this season due to my National Service commitments,” said the 23-year-old. “So I am grateful to be playing in the League Cup. This has helped me regain my match fitness and showcase my abilities.”

Balagumaran will be looking to experienced Japanese midfielder Fumiya Kogure and Slovakian forward Jozef Kaplan to guide the younger lads. “They are used to such big occasions,” he said. “They are calm and composed and are role models for my local players.”

But Geylang, led by rookie head coach Hasrin Jailani, will not be pushovers. The Eagles recorded back-to-back 1-0 wins over Albirex and Warriors FC in the tournament despite losing seven players to the national team’s training tour of Japan.

“The players know this is our only chance to win something this season, so they will be fired up,” said Hasrin. “As a rookie coach, I want to see how far I can go. If we win, it’s something for me to build on.” AMANPREET SINGH

The League Cup final between Brunei DPMM and Albirex Niigata will be shown live on Starhub Ch112/205 tonight (8pm).

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