Discipline, consistency key for Shakir Hamzah in Tampines-Geylang derby clash

SINGAPORE – Inconsistency on the pitch has cost Shakir Hamzah this season, both for Geylang International and the national team, as the defender was not selected for the Lions’ recent games against Nepal and Hong Kong.

Admitting that he “felt upset” at being left out of the national squad, the 32-year-old said: “From my point of view, I think it’s just my performance, it’s not consistent.

“There are certain games that I perform well, but there are certain games that I don’t perform… and I admit that.

“So I think that’s the reason why I didn’t get called up, but I respect whatever decision they make. You know you are representing Singapore, so they have to take the best team.”

One of the senior players in the Eagles squad, Shakir’s experience has helped in guiding younger teammates such as Akmal Azman and Keito Hariya.

Geylang have scored the highest number of goals (82) in the Singapore Premier League (SPL), but their defensive woes continue to haunt them.

On March 27, they were knocked out of the Singapore Cup after a 3-1 loss to Lion City Sailors to finish bottom of their group, conceding 11 goals in four games.

Said Shakir: “It’s all due to everyone’s mistake. We all don’t communicate well when we are defending, we always like to depend on the fact that everyone can do the job.

“But for me, I think we have to be disciplined and cover each other.”

Shakir and his team will get a chance to salvage their season on April 4, when they take on BG Tampines Rovers in the eastern derby clash. The left-back added that their goal is to secure second spot in the SPL.

The Eagles are currently third in the nine-team league, seven points behind the Stags with seven games to go.

Geylang coach Noor Ali said: “We want to achieve something this season.

“It’s still possible, because you got 21 points to play for, so it’s still achievable.

“Finishing in the top three will be good, definitely finishing second is a big bonus.”

The Eagles were bolstered in attack this season by Tomoyuki Doi, who has broken the SPL record for goals scored with 39, and Noor believes that the Japanese striker can add to that mark.

Laughing, he said: “We were worried about not scoring goals last few seasons, this year, we solved that problem, but we didn’t solve the problem at the back.

“There’s one thing that he (Doi) needs to do, is to just defend for the team a bit better, everybody knows we are quite a high pressing team.”

Looking ahead to the Tampines game, Noor added: “We’ve not beaten them this season.

“So it’s definitely going to be a tough game. But let’s see, it’s a derby game so anything can happen.

“We have a very thin team defence line, so depending on them to play for the whole season, it’s not easy.

“Shakir is very experienced but you need to rest him and Hariya is very inexperienced.

“Sometimes Akmal or Naqiuddin (Eunos) play in the right-back position and there’s a concern of having a consistent backline playing all the time.”

Noting that the Stags will be keeping a close eye on Doi, coach Gavin Lee said: “We always try to deny them as a team first and, when situations arise, reduce space and time afforded to him.”

Hougang United v Albirex Niigata (April 5, 6pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)

Both teams will look to bounce back from their Singapore Cup exits, having lost 5-1 to Tampines and 7-1 to Young Lions respectively in their final group games.

Balestier Khalsa v Tanjong Pagar United (April 5, 6pm, Bishan Stadium)

Defence will be key for the two clubs as they have conceded the most number of goals in the SPL: Tigers (70) and Jaguars (85).

Balestier are still in the fight for fourth spot on 32 points, three behind Albirex Niigata in the table.

Young Lions v Lion City Sailors (April 6, 6pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)

Beating Albirex 7-1 in the Singapore Cup on March 28 will give the Young Lions a much-needed boost as they take on the league leaders. The Sailors are unbeaten in 12 games in all competitions and are seven points clear of second-placed Tampines.