19 November 2022 is a day Ryaan Sanizal will not forget in a hurry.

The then 20-year-old lined up at centre-back for Tampines Rovers in the Singapore Cup final, only to watch the title slip away as they surrendered a two-goal lead and eventually lost the final – 3-2 to Hougang United. 

Some three years after that heartbreak, Ryaan is poised to take to the field in the same competition – this time in Hougang colours – as the Cheetahs look to move past a difficult start to their Singapore Premier League (SPL) season. 

“I see this Singapore Cup campaign as a chance for redemption and a platform for us to start afresh,” said Ryaan, whose side has just won one of their opening five SPL games. 

“The Hougang fans deserve something to cheer for again. The 2022 Singapore Cup triumph is a fond memory for them, and I want to help bring that joy back to them.”

With the Cheetahs currently sitting in sixth in the SPL table, Ryaan admitted that their start to the season has been far from what the team had envisioned. 

“We went into this new season with our ambitions, but it has been difficult. Winning one of five games is not acceptable, and we are all fighting to improve every day,” said Ryaan. 

“You need the support from everybody in the team during these tough times. It’s easy to point fingers, but the environment at Hougang is very positive.”

Even under such challenging circumstances, the drive to succeed at the club remains strong in 

players like Ryaan. Despite already clocking 79 SPL appearances at the age of 23, he remains hungry to grow and improve. 

And he insisted that this same determination runs through the entire club. 

“All the players and the coaching staff are giving their utmost best every day, and we are all working towards the same direction,” said Ryaan.

“Now with Akbar (Nawas) coming in as Technical Director, he’s demanding a lot from everybody here. We are putting the extra work in, but we have to also take things one step at a time and focus on what lies ahead.”

The Cheetahs’ next step will be their opening Singapore Cup group stage clash against a bruised Tanjong Pagar United side at the Jurong East Stadium on Friday (7 Nov), coming off a 3-0 loss against Balestier Khalsa in their first group game.

Although their opponents are also going through a difficult patch, Ryaan remained focused on getting a positive result from the game.

“Tanjong Pagar is an unpredictable team with good foreign and local players,” he said. “We have to prepare as best as we can to face them on Friday, and hope that we can get all three points.”

To do that, the Cheetahs will look to a revamped squad with several new additions, including promising Thai forward Yotsakorn Burapha and seasoned Spanish winger Victor Blasco – a blend of youth and experience that Ryaan believes will benefit the club. 

“We’ve got a good mix of experienced players who have been in such situations, as well as younger players who are eager to fight for their spot,” he said. “I’m confident that the personnel we have on the team can help to turn things around.” 

Having just returned from his mandatory two-year National Service stint in July, Ryaan has his eyes set on rediscovering his rhythm and making an impact at Hougang. 

“I see this season as an opportunity to restart my engine, and it’s on me to put in the hard work during training and matches,” he said.

“I’m confident that the club is heading in the right direction, and it’s only a matter of time before things start to click again.”

Tickets for Singapore Cup 2025/26 are available on Trip.com.