Geylang’s Vincent Bezecourt thriving with freedom and team’s support in deeper midfield role
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Despite playing in central midfield, Vincent Bezecourt (centre) has notched five goals and nine assists in 12 matches this season.
PHOTO: GEYLANG INTERNATIONAL
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SINGAPORE – Injuries at Geylang International this season meant that attacking midfielder Vincent Bezecourt has to be deployed in a deeper position instead.
But, not only has the Frenchman flourished in his new role, he has also continued to contribute goals.
Even though his attacking instincts have to be curbed, Bezecourt has chalked up five goals and nine assists in 12 Singapore Premier League (SPL) appearances.
The 31-year-old, who stepped into the central midfield role after Huzaifah Aziz suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in May, said the team’s recruitment and the freedom he was given to express himself are the key reasons behind his performances.
“I knew that I could step into (Huzaifah’s) position with the off-season that we had,” Bezecourt told The Straits Times ahead of the third-placed Eagles’ Aug 24 clash against Brunei DPMM at the Jalan Besar Stadium.
“Because we made a few very good signings with (attacking midfielder) Ryoya Taniguchi and (striker) Tomoyuki Doi, and we’re going to be dangerous even if I stepped into a deeper role.
“Coach (Noor Ali) is still trying to give me a lot of freedom even in this position.
“It’s up to me to analyse the situations in the game, and to see whether it’s a good time to drive forward. It takes more discipline to play deeper.”
Bezecourt also credited midfield partner Takahiro Tezuka, who “dictates the games for us”, adding: “(Tezuka) just tells me to find the right spaces and then drive the team forward.”
Noor Ali explained that while their versatile captain Joshua Pereira could also play in midfield, injuries elsewhere meant that Pereira had to slot in as fullback.
That made Bezecourt, who has also played in central midfield with Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls, the best option for the position.
The 49-year-old coach said: “It’s quite a different role for him but we know what quality he has. He might not be contributing to most of the goals like last season... but he has helped the team to get good results.
“He might not be strong defensively, but he defends smartly especially playing in the role… and he’s been very consistent.”
With Bezecourt thriving this season, it is hard to tell that he had returned from a long lay-off after tearing an ACL in July 2023, and there were concerns he could not play at the highest level again.
Admitting that he was “pleasantly surprised” by what has transpired this season, he said: “Once you reach a certain age, you’ll have some doubts, and feel you won’t be as good or as athletic.”
But those fears were allayed after a strong start to the season, and Bezecourt believes he and his team must continue improving.
Vincent Bezecourt (left) celebrates with striker Tomoyuki Doi after scoring against Balestier Khalsa in July.
PHOTO: GEYLANG INTERNATIONAL
The Eagles had picked up just one point from two matches before defeating Young Lions 3-0 in their last outing, and Noor Ali wants them to carry on the momentum.
Calling the eighth-placed DPMM a “good counter-attacking team”, he cautioned: “There are no easy games in the SPL... if you look at the results in the last few games, it can go either way.”
He also thinks that “we’ve not seen the best of Vincent yet”, which the player agrees.
Admitting that “staying healthy is my biggest priority”, Bezecourt added: “It’s a good start (to the season)... But the mindset and the mentality of the team are some things we can work on for sure.”
On Aug 23, Balestier Khalsa beat Hougang United 3-1, with Ismail Sassi, Riku Fukashiro and Alen Kozar netting for the Tigers. Dejan Racic scored for Hougang.
Tanjong Pagar v Young Lions (Aug 24, 6pm, Jurong East)
The Jaguars’ recent performances are worrying, conceding 18 times in four matches and being picked apart far too often.
The Young Lions will be buoyed by the sides’ last encounter, where they scored thrice from 2-0 down to win.
Albirex v Sailors (Aug 25, 6pm, Jurong East)
What used to be a heavyweight clash turned into a one-sided affair when the Sailors thrashed Albirex 7-1 in June. Though the White Swans have shown signs of improvement and their opponents have just returned from a gruelling trip to Indonesia, they might still struggle to keep the Sailors at bay.
