ItÂ’s early times yet but Geylang United will be hoping for many more victories like these.
On Saturday, the revamped Eagles cruised past their opponents from Police Sports Academy 4-0 at the Bedok Stadium in a friendly encounter. All goals came courtesy of their new signings – Masrezwan Masturi, a goal each for Brazilians Rivaldo and Junior as well as one from Slovakian Miroslav Latiak.
Over the next fortnight, the Eagles will be heading over to Penang and Johor for more pre-season friendlies: Chinese Recreation Club and Kampong Seronong F.C in Penang and Pasir Gudang F.C and Johor Melody FC in Johor.
Having undergone the physical phase of training since the tail-end of last year, the Eagles are now into phase two - match preparedness, as they seek to gel as a potent and unified force.
Their Slovakian coach Jozef Herel will be their driving force with Geylang looking to recapture the past glories that their all-conquering side of the 1980s and 1990s were used to.
Herel has comprehensively rebuilt the squad from the one he took over in October and already the team is looking full of promise and a definite force to be reckoned with in 2008.
The proud Eagles have revamped almost their entire team from last season – introducing bite not only in attack but also boosting their midfield and strengthening their defence.
And while the regular reliables are still available - the likes of defenders Noh Rahman and Aide Iskandar and striker Fadzuhasny Juraimi, the Eagles have also lost some quality players like custodian Hassan Sunny and defensive pillar Razaleigh Khalik.
GeylangÂ’s newly introduced players are:
1) Farizal Basri (forward from Balestier Khalsa)
2) Masrezwan Masturi (forward from SAF FC)
3) Noor Ali (midfielder from SAF FC)
4) Faizal Senin (defender from Gombak United)
5) Amos Boon (goalkeeper from Sengkang Punggol)
6) Fabian Tan (defender from Young Lions)
7) Baihakki Khaizan (defender from Young Lions)
8) Fazrul Nawaz (forward/winger from Young Lions)
9) Rivaldo (forward from Brazil; played in Brazilian and Indonesian leagues)
10) Junior (forward from Brazil; played in Brazilian and Chinese leagues)
11) Miroslav Latiak (forward from Slovakia; played in MalaysiaÂ’s Super League)
12) Ratislav Belicak (defensive midfielder from Slovakia; played in MalaysiaÂ’s Super League)
Also coming into GeylangÂ’s S.League squad will be 23 year-old midfielder Shah Hirul from the Eagles Prime League team that won the Singapore Pools FA Cup.
And so it begins, the seeds having already been sown as Geylang United build towards what is looking like a very interesting 2008 NTUC Income-YEO'S S.League season ahead.
i was there for their club seminar, Police SA game and also their game against Katong FC yesterday which they won 7-1.
look out for Junior.