Submitted by: Tesla | 9th August 2024
First of all. Happy 9th of August, Singapore!
Look at the image.
"Anyways. Good match. As usual, we keep the name of our derby. The Draw Derby" âKimmy/Stirling Curva Division, Tanjong Pagar
What can we infer from the above picture? A lady drawing a picture of a jaguar while wearing a cheetah fur coat. The keyword here is â drawing.
Welcome to the draw derby.
For some ungodly reason, we keep getting stalemates whenever we're up against Tanjong Pagar Utd. Of the 24 games we have played against each other, we've drawn each other 11 times. That's statistics dating back to 2011 when our Hougang united first changed to it's current iteration of the club name. 2011 also happen to be Tanjong Pagar's return back to the league after a hiatus. They happen to also pull out from the league from 2015-2019.
So yeah, If you asked: "Why's there so little head-to-head between these two clubs?". Here's your answer.
Hougang Utd vs Tanjong Pagar Utd | Stats |
|---|---|
Hougang Win | 8 |
Tanjong Pagar Win | 4 |
Draw | 11 |
Cancelled | 1 (due to covid) |
We have had 12 matches where the game went either way. We also have 11 stalemate draws, and if we include the cancelled match as a draw then we'd come to the conclusion that we have a 50% hit rate of drawing. It doesn't get any better than this.
It truly is frustrating. đ¤Ł
TANJONG PAGAR VS HOUGANG UTD - SPL 24/25. đĽRound 2. What should we be wary of? We discuss with Kimmy of TPU's Stirling Curva Division to gleam insights on how the match is going to pan out. Check out this transcript!
The conversation
[We invited Kimmy, who's a Tanjong Pagar diehard with the Stirling Curva Division for this kopitalk to gleam some pearls of information for this upcoming match!]
Tesla: hey bro.. thanks for agreeing to discuss w us. You can ask me Hougang-related questions also no prob! So first question, how do u feel abt the match between Tanjong Pagar and Tampines that just ended?
Kimmy: Disappointed to say the least. We saw sparks of brilliance in a few players but few others werenât pulling their weight undermining those who actually put in effort.
We saw players being played out of position. For example, Faizal. He should be in CB where he excels the most. Yes, we canât deny that thereâs no one else to replace the injured Akram in LB. Then comes to the issue of lack of squad depth, which has been an issue for many years.
Tesla: I thought thereâs the championship-winning youths who also stepped up to senior squad this year right? Still not enough squad depth?
Kimmy: Yeah. But injuries plaguing our team unfortunately. Without Cisse, thereâs really no flair in attack.
Tesla: Also, Faizal played wing back but it feels like heâs also doubling up as a midfielder at times right? Coz heâs popping up in places where he gets good shots on goal
Kimmy: Heâs definitely better at CB. We need his presence in defence
Tesla: I havenât watched him much man but Faizal got a good shot on him n his runs are exciting to watch!
Tesla: Okay, so you mentioned before that Tpu is plagued with injuries⌠so besides Akram and Cisse⌠who else is injured?
Kimmy: From what I know itâs Cisse and Akram but could be Timur as well who has not played for a while
Timur is a solid CDM/CB. He's like a silent giant. Very soft spoken in real life
Tesla: Is Timur rly injured? Or just havenât been part of the tactical plans?
Coz I suppose thatâs also y Fashah has been left out? Kinda strange to leave those guys out I think unless thereâs a tactical reason for it
Kimmy: Many questionable tactical decisions this season if you ask me.
Tesla: So there's no clue as to why Fashah and Timur is left out la? Haha
Kimmy: No explanation or clue whatsoever.
Tesla: Qn2. How do u think the lineups will be for the upcoming match at jalan besar against Hougang?
Kimmy: We might still be without Cisse I guess but I wonât be expecting much changes for TPU. Maybe Prathip back in the lineup?
Tesla: Qn3. Oh ok⌠how do u expect the play style will be so that TPU can nick the win away from hougang? Haha
Kimmy: Not so much of expect but more of what we feel needs to be done. Drop the off form players even if it means giving the U21s match minutes. We need to focus more in getting the goals in. With Cisseâs absence, we need someone who can convert chances. Perhaps can consider giving Saiful Azhar some match time. Start Sahil and Syahadat if we have to and play a 4-4-2.
Tesla: Ya Sahil has been bright for u guys⌠heâs bright even at hougang⌠really glad heâs given another chance at top flight football w u guys.
Okay. Let's segway abit.
Qn4. What would u describe the type of football that Tanjong Pagar is playing currently? Esp with the influx of u-21 players and a whole squad refresh?
Is it defensive? counter-attacking? Wingplay?
Kimmy: Itâs too much long balls and shoot on sight attempts. Itâs neither defensive nor attacking. I would prefer more direct passing, working the ball more into the box. Weâve been throwing away many chances. We canât afford to keep doing this. Play simple football. Not fancy football.
Tesla: But ok what? there were some meaningful attacks against Tampines tho⌠itâs just that tamp had good scoring chances⌠but I think the 1st tamp goal shouldâve been dealt better keeper-wise.
Kimmy: Hard to say Riki didnât play for quite a while
Tesla: Fair point. Okay last question. Qn5. what r y hoping to see for this upcoming match bro?
Kimmy: Definitely more attacking football. Players need to play with more self-confidence and belief.
Tesla: Aitez bro⌠thanks for ur insights man⌠and see u for the upcoming match! Hopefully we can have time eat tgt before the match!
Kimmy: Hopefully bro! đ When Hougang gonna pass the trophyless luck to us? So we can reach 2 consecutive SG cup finals?
Tesla: Hahahaha! We can only wait and see!
Kimmy: My one question to you though â Is this gonna be a draw game again? It should be called "The Draw Derby".
Tesla: Tell me about it!
[END]
[Catch Kimmy along with his merry band of brothers, Eason, Ilhan, Jansen and others when TPU goes up against any team in the SPL. Or you can find them on instagram, @stirlingcurvadivision. Here's a recent podcast interview with Kimmy involved https://open.spotify.com/episode/3osoxu6GE3u570zaObdAHD?si=a3fc83d1d8a24cf6 ]
CLOSING Words
We hope Hougang can start to tip the balance scales of the "draw derby" and get a win against our draw rivals, Tanjong Pagar Utd. But it will be hard because no matter how down-and-out Tanjong Pagar always is, they'll always show up against Hougang for some reason. But as mentioned, we have to take inspiration from our defensive display in our last game... and replicate it for this next one.
On this point, We'd like to congratulate our Hougang team on showing a solid defensive showing last friday to shut out the unbeaten Geylang International team. For so long we've been very open and exposed but finally we saw the levels that we knew the team can achieve.
Good job on shutting out a free-scoring Geylang team and getting a cleansheet. Also very clever in handling set pieces this time. Credit where credit is due.
The dialogues between fans and players/coaches/team is a precious covenant that happens all throughout the world with every fan club. At every professional level.
Hougang is no different. We live, we laugh, we quarrel, but we ultimately love each other. Show them what you got, boys! đ #1H1H
Tanjong Pagar Utd vs Hougang Quick Report:
- Goalkeeper Riki Kimura enters the fold, but we might see Prathip start in goal again.
- Injured: Salif Cisse, Akram (Captain)
- Dangermen: Sahil Suhaimi and Shodai
-Hougang needs to show another excellent defensive display again.
â Tune in to the "Upcoming" section of our homepage after the matchday to see the latest scores. Or follow our 'hougang_hools' instagram page or 'Hougang United FC Supporters Club' to see snippets or updates on latest scores. All images used are stocks or from the hougang united instagram page unless otherwise stated.
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Will this be another draw?
0%Yes
0%No (Hougang Win)
0%No (Tanjong Pagar Win)
Who would be our dangerman?
0%Racic
0%Plazonja
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