Last week, most fans of the Stallions went to Jurong East Stadium hoping for a win and three points to help close the gap to Sinchi, one place above in the league table. Some, after the decent result ? and more importantly, good performance ? against table-topping Home United a week earlier, were expecting a win.

Those who expected three points probably learnt two important lessons. Firstly, that while Sembawang has good players and is a decent team that is capable of good, attacking football, there are also days when everything doesn?t flow as smoothly. The second, and perhaps more important lesson, is that you should never under estimate an opponent. Sembawang is not the only team in the S.League capable of good football, and the Cobras certainly underlined that point last week.

What then can we expect against the Rams next week? Do the Stallions have what it takes to win at Woodlands Stadium? Will the thus-far misfiring Supakit Jinajai finally show the fans why he deserves a place in the team ahead of the likes of Pravit Vasuntra, who was deregistered after just one game so that Supakit could be signed, and Norfahazly Kamsan, who has scored twice in his first two appearances as a substitute for the club (and came close to repeating that against the Cobras last week)?

If you?re expecting an easy win, think again. Woodlands is currently second in the S.League table and no team is that high up this late into the season without possessing some measure of quality.

However, while Rangers are in the lower half of the table, with 16 points fewer than their opponents for the week, they are capable of causing an upset? if everyone plays his part and the team delivers some of its better football. The more likely result though, is a draw.

Whatever the case, expect to watch a match with no lack of passion and commitment. Has there been a northern derby match without these two ingredients? BM

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