New coach, new players for ambitious Geylang International
Eagles swoop to sign Young Lions alumni and three LionsXII players
Geylang International's honour roll is a long one, but their last major trophy came in the previous decade - a Singapore Cup triumph in 2009 - and the Eagles last won the S.League title in 2001.
Now, under the stewardship of new chairman Ben Teng, the Eagles are aiming to return to the big time again.
Having already announced the signing of fullback Faritz Hameed from the newly-disbanded Malaysian Super League side the LionsXII, they have confirmed the acquisition of his former teammates, winger Gabriel Quak and defender Al-Qaasimy Rahman.
The New Paper understands that forward Sahil Suhaimi is already in advanced talks with the club, where a supporting cast of notable youngsters is already being assembled.
Former LionsXII players, Shahfiq Ghani and Safirul Sulaiman, have already put pen to paper, along with Courts Young Lions alumni Syazwan Buhari, Amy Recha and Stanely Ng (from Home United).
They will be joined by familiar faces from recent Lion City squads, with the likes of Dhukilan Jeevamani and Brandon Koh already on board.
And the club will match their youthful roster with a young coach who will operate in the S.League for the first time.
HASRIN COACH
"Geylang International is pleased to confirm the appointment of Hasrin Jailani as the head coach. Hasrin is a talented young local coach who was a member of Geylang's championship winning team of 2001," said the club in a statement yesterday.
"He understands what it takes, as a player, to win the league. We are confident that Hasrin will impart the tradition and values of the club to the team."
The 40-year-old former Singapore international has worked with the Chelsea FC Soccer School in Singapore and Indonesia since 2013.
Hasrin is no stranger to the workings of an S.League club backroom, having been assistant coach to Aide Iskandar at Hougang United in 2011.
TNP understands that former Singapore Under-23 coach Aide will play a technical role at the club, who have also moved to bring in some veterans to lend experience in the dressing room.
Ex Singapore international Shariff Samat, 31, has signed up, while former Lions' captain and goal poacher Indra Sahdan, 36, is also believed to be holding talks with the Eagles.
The club, who have retained the services of four players from this year's squad - Nor Azli Yusof, Yuki Ichikawa, goalkeeper Hairul Syirhan and forward Shawal Anuar - said in the statement that they hope to make further announcements on other signings soon.
"He understands what it takes, as a player, to win the league. We are confident that Hasrin will impart the tradition and values of the club to the team."
— Geylang International, in a club statement, on naming former player Hasrin Jailani as their head coach
Amri, Shakir, Nazrul to play for Young Lions
S.League giants Tampines Rovers have snapped up six players from the LionsXII, three are destined for Geylang International, with another poised to join the Eagles' revolution.
Sources revealed that the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) has sent a memo to S.League clubs, indicating that three LionsXII players - star forward Khairul Amri, defender Shakir Hamzah and wide player Nazrul Nazari - will play for the Courts Young Lions next year, with Christopher van Huizen and Zulfahmi Arifin on a stand-by list.
Van Huizen has already signed with Tampines, while Zulfahmi is believed to have joined Home United, along with forward Khairul Nizam.
But Tampines chairman Krishna Ramachandra told The New Paper in an earlier interview that he will release any LionsXII player the FAS requests for the Young Lions.
Even with central defender Madhu Mohana joining Warriors FC, Raihan Rahman and Wahyudi Wahid signing for Hougang United and Syafiq Zainal returning to Balestier Khalsa, a clutch of top names still have their future unsecured.
Safuwan Baharudin is in talks with Malaysian side PDRM, with Selangor also interested, while star goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud is being courted by Thailand's Chonburi and J2 side Matsumoto Yamaga.
FARIS TO MALAYSIA?
Pacy winger Faris Ramli is believed to be attracting attention from Malaysia.
Midfielders Shahdan Sulaiman and 2014 LionsXII captain Isa Halim have also yet to be signed up.
The FAS had earlier promised that it will match the current salary of all LionsXII players and set a Dec 18 deadline for clubs to sign players in the open market, before an as yet undefined draft system kicks in to find clubs for those still available.
- SHAMIR OSMAN
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