The Cheetahs will kickstart their League Cup campaign this season – against a well known foe in Albirex Niigata.
Domestic Cup games against Albirex have been epic, with 2011 the most notable events happened.
The Cheetahs were surprising finalists in the league cup in that year, only to see their hopes of silverware dashed on penalties to decide the champions.
The Cheetahs were also defeated on aggregate in the 2011 Singapore Cup semi finals by Albirex, after a memorable fightback draw at the Jurong East Stadium. The Cheetah were cruelly defeated in extra time back at Hougang.
However, this season promises to be a different one. With Hougang currently slaying all the giants in the S.League at Hougang Stadium, Wednesday’s fixtures promised to be an exciting night of football.
With the entire playing staff of Hougang United all waiting in the wings to impress all the fans and the neutral with some exciting football drama, coach Johana will have yet another selection headache to select his favourable team. Jerome Baker is currently on hot form, and with Liam Shotton returning, there will be a heated competition to partner Mamadou Diallo upfront.
For the Swans, their extra time heartbreak last week against Home United might see an Albirex squad looking to make amends for this season. Eventhough the Swans managed to beat the Cheetahs twice this season, however the team has been seeing a seesaw kind of form that seen them having shock defeats against the likes of Woodlands, Home United and almost being slayed by an indifferent Geylang side.
