Hougang Opt For Thai Spice

Hougang United, who finished seventh last season, have signed five Thais.

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chi has been retained while his compatriots Shuhei Hoshino, Kaisei Ogawa, Riku Fukashiro and Shodai Yokoyama have all been snapped up from other SPL clubs.

The Eagles have also kept French talisman Vincent Bezecourt and signed Serbian defender Nikola Ignjatovic and South Korean centre-back Ko Jae-hyun.

Tampines, who will face Geylang in their season opener at Our Tampines Hub on Aug 24, have followed a similar route of signing predominantly Japanese players.

Besides 27-year-old Malta international forward Trent Buhagiar who has three goals in two matches for his new side, they have inked deals with Takeshi Yoshimoto, Seiga Sumi, Hide Higashikawa and Koya Kazama.

Japanese defender Shuya Yamashita has been retained, alongside Australian defender Dylan Fox.

Thai goalkeeper Nalawich Inthacharoen, 21, and striker Witthawat Phraothaisong, 18, who are on loan from Pathum, are also options for the Stags.

Bogdan Mandic will lead the line for Balestier Khalsa in the coming season. PHOTO: BERITA HARIAN