“Dead rubber” is a weird term. I don’t quite know for sure why a meaningless game is called a dead rubber, and it seems that even a quick Google doesn’t answer that question 100%. There’s talk of the term originating from “rubber bridge”, a version of the card game, bridge. There’s also talk of the term originating from “rubber” being another word for eraser, and since in some games where you keep the score, you erase the score from the previous game before you go on to the next, a “dead rubber” meant a useless erasing of the score because the next game doesn’t really matter. I’d dig further, but then SailorFanTalk becomes an altogether different website so I didn’t. Answers in the comments are welcome.
Dead Rubber for Both Teams Potentially
We’ve all known for weeks now that Albirex have been crowned champions, and Tampines’s horrible slump in form has meant that we can’t be caught. So it’s a dead rubber for us.
Had Balestier got even a point in their last game, it would be a dead rubber for Geylang as well. However, a loss in their last game has meant that should Geylang beat us tomorrow, they might end up in the top half of the table. All this, provided Balestier don’t get a single point against Tampines Rovers later today. If Balestier get a point, then it’s a dead rubber for Geylang as well.
Could this possibly peter out into a nothing game? I honestly have no clue. There are too many possible permutations that might play out.
Fringe players may see this as a chance to impress and perhaps force their way into Rankovic’s plans. This may be used as a game to give competitive minutes for players who have lacked minutes in their tank. For example, Rui Pires, who impressed on “debut” against Spurs, is definitely going to start against Bangkok United. Are we gonna throw him in without him at least getting some competitive minutes in the league? But if you do start him, what if he gets injured? Will the players give a little less when it comes to tackles and 50-50s, knowing that any injury rules them out of the Champions League and Singapore Cup games? Will Coach Rankovic feel that a win is the best way to keep the momentum?
Too difficult to predict what is going to happen!
What Formation Will We Line Up In?
We’ve seen how the Sailors lined up against Spurs, a solid five at the back featuring three central defenders and two wingbacks. Coach Rankovic mentioned in a recent interview (around the 4:40 mark) that this is an option that we may use in the Champions League. He mentioned how we would probably use it against opponents who dominate possession. The aim probably is to remain solid at the back, and then pick and choose moments to counter-attack and score.
Regular followers of SailorFanTalk will also remember Richairo Zivkovic discussing this very topic, when he said that sometimes in the ACL we will be under great pressure, and if we have good counter-attacking opportunities, they may be our best chances to score.
If so, will we see it against Geylang, given that they are not likely to dominate possession? Would it be wise to use this game as a dress rehearsal for the Bangkok United game even if the opponents are likely to be very different in ability and style?
Potential Debut for Harith?
Given that Nur Adam is suspended for this game, I think there is a good chance we see Harith Kanadi line up against his former club. It will be good for him to get minutes for the club, especially if rumours surrounding Nur Adam’s enlistment prove to be accurate and we miss him for much of the Champions League campaign.
As I understand, the club played two friendlies during and before the international break, and Harith played a part in both those games. Maybe us Sailors fans will get to see him in action!
If he does play, he will be directly up against Yushi Yamaya. I’d call that a baptism of fire of sorts, given that Yushi is one of the best right-wingers in the league, and definitely the most dangerous player we will face tomorrow, given that Vincent Bezecourt is out of action. He is basically their mini-Maxime, a talented left-footed right winger who leads the team in both goals and assists. 9 goals and 7 assists for Yushi, allied with his direct running style – it will be some test for Harith.
One person Harith will be relieved not to see is Arshad Shamim, who I believe will be ineligible for this game given that he is on loan from us. Imagine having to defend against Yushi cuttiing inside and Arshad making the outside run – nightmare.
Does Maxime Lestienne Have to Perform Once More?
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Maxime Lestienne has to be Player of the Season. 25 goals and 21 assists in 23 games. What kind of stats are those? It’s pure fantasy stuff. 2 goal contributions a game.
And it’s not just quantity – it’s quality as well. Some of the goals and assists have been breathtaking.
That performance in Our Tampines Hub where he basically turned into a UK fast food cashier, asking “and would you like chips with that?” I heard that even now, Syazwan Buhari still looks up into the sky occasionally to check for flying balls.
That time against Geylang when we were far from our best, Mamat kept us in the game with some blocks, and then up stepped Maxime to curl home two brilliant free kicks. I am sure Hafiz Ahmad is still sick of the sight of him.
The back-flick goal against Hougang United. Oh, how Hougang must hate him. 3 games played, 4 goals 6 assists from the brilliant Belgian.
He’s only had 3 games all season where he did not score or assist. Talk about consistency! Let’s compare that with the other serious contenders for Player of the Season, Seia Kunori and Ryoya Taniguchi.
All 3 contenders have something going for them. Seia Kunori has a league winner’s medal, to try to offset the vastly inferior goals and assists tally. Ryoya’s lower numbers are also nevertheless very impressive given the gulf in resources between Balestier Khalsa and our Sailors.
However, I said this when I was invited on to the Yahoo Football podcast earlier this week – if FAS doesn’t award Player of the Season to Maxime Lestienne, I will burn down FAS HQ. It’s a joke of course, but I really can’t see how he doesn’t win it this year. 46 goal contributions compared to 27 and 28 – and the consistency to perform game after game, just so impressive.
But maybe just for safety, one hat-trick for the road eh, Maxime? That should seal it.
Conclusion
Against a Geylang side missing Bezecourt, the heartbeat of their team, and with Arshad Shamim ineligible to play for them (he usually starts), the Sailors should win this game, if winning is the priority. If other considerations are deemed as more important, such as trying out untested players, or untested formations, then anything can happen.
I hope we get to see some youngsters take to the pitch. Would be delightful if Nathan Mao can replicate some of his U15 exploits on the senior stage.
Hopefully, regardless of what team we put out, we get the 3 points and some confidence going into next week’s crunch tie against Bangkok United.
COME ON YOU BOYS IN BLUE!
Score Prediction
Joseph and I predict the scores and track our success in a table. Stay tuned to find out who is the prediction king!
3 points for exact scoreline predicted correctly, 2 points for predicting the winner and margin of victory correctly (but not the exact scoreline), and 1 point for predicting the outcome correctly (win, lose or draw).
Eddy’s prediction: LCS 3 GEY 1
Joseph’s prediction: LCS 4 GEY 0
And here’s the leaderboard –
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