We have to stay focused until the final whistle, says Noor

Geylang International Head Coach Noor Ali has reminded his charges that they simply cannot afford to let their guards down until the final whistle when they host Hougang United at Our Tampines Hub (OTH) on Sunday.

Geylang are aware of the Cheetahs’ tendency to score in the stoppage time and are determined to avoid another late drama which ensued in the reverse fixture that saw the

Eagles go down 3-2, no thanks to Andre Moritz’s stunning strike from the halfway line.

Hougang have served a timely reminder once again on what they’re capable of in their last two matches.

The Cheetahs handed league leaders Lion City Sailors a late scare when Pedro Bortoluzo and Moritz scored in 87th and 94th minutes in their 4-3 defeat.

Last week, Hougang were at it again, this time with Bortoluzo finding the net in the 95th minute to share the spoils with Tanjong Pagar.

“Hougang may be struggling for results, but they’re obviously a good team with tremendous fighting spirits,” said Noor Ali.

“They will keep attacking and never say die until the last kick of the match. We have seen how they stole a point from Tanjong Pagar at the death.

“We experienced that ourselves back in March and were denied taking home a point.”

The defeat to Hougang, which came right after Geylang pulled off a brilliant 1-0 win over Lion City Sailors in the season-opener, turned out to be the start of the frustrating seven winless-streak that included a gutsy 1-0 loss to the reigning AIA Singapore Premier League champions in the first match of the second round last week.

Noor Ali has no doubts that the team will get rewarded if they can replicate the same determination and intensity for Sunday’s battle.

The return of captain and first-choice custodian Zaiful Nizam from SEA Games duty will surely hand the team a big boost, while Sime Zuzul and Takahiro Tezuka will be aiming to continue their rich vein of form in front of goal against Hougang.

Zuzul had scored in each of his last five starts against Hougang, while Tezuka has never failed to find the net in all his four career appearances against the Cheetahs.