Amidst managerial upheavals and significant squad changes, it has been a challenging season for Tanjong Pagar United. With 12 match weeks left in the 2024/25 Singapore Premier League, the Jaguars find themselves at the bottom of the table with just 12 points, having conceded a league-high 74 goals. 

But interim head coach Noh Alam Shah is looking for a reset and to keep Jaguars’ eyes on the horizon - and the 2024/25 Singapore Cup is exactly the kind of fresh start he is looking for. 

"The defence that conceded 73 goals is a defence I don’t know because I wasn’t around at that time," he said. 

"As of today, we have conceded just one goal in the league. With a more organised, disciplined defensive line, we hope to maintain our performances and keep clean sheets in the matches ahead."

Drawn into a tough Group B with Thai powerhouses BG Pathum United, current league leaders Lion City Sailors, third-placed Geylang International, and Balestier Khalsa, the Jaguars face a tough challenge— but Alam Shah is embracing it whole-heartedly. 

“I always believe that the best way to improve is to play against better opponents, and these teams—specifically BG Pathum—are definitely of that stature. Competing against them will be a great test to see where our level is,” explained the 44-year-old.

This fierce determination —a hallmark of Alam Shah, the player before he hung up his boots—has already begun to breathe new life into the Jaguars. A hard-fought draw against the Young Lions, a victory over Brunei DPMM, and a noticeable boost in confidence during training sessions - small yet crucial steps forward that matter to him.

"These improvements may seem small to others, but for us, they represent a huge step up given where we were before. Every player has shown a desire and determination to improve individually and collectively, And resilience is present in every challenge and moment of the game," said the former Singapore international.

If there’s one thing Alam Shah—one of the most feared strikers in the region with two Singapore Cup wins under his belt—knows well, it’s that goals win games. 

While tightening the defense is crucial, the Jaguars must also find balance in attack when they host BG Pathum this Sunday, 2 February 2025, at Jurong East Stadium. The Rabbits come packed with firepower, boasting Singaporean strikers Ikhsan and Ilhan Fandi alongside Thai forwards Chanathip Songkrasin and Teerasil Dangda.

French forward Salif Cisse has been the Jaguars' source of goals, being the team’s top scorer with seven goals. However, injuries and inconsistency have hampered his impact. Encouragingly, multiple scorers have emerged in recent matches, offering hope for a more dynamic frontline.

"In the last two matches, we’ve had four different scorers, and we hope to add to that list to avoid relying too much on one individual. So we’ve been working a lot on finishing drills in the past few weeks," Alam Shah explained. 

"If we want to score goals, we need to make it a habit first. Once we get that right, we can refine our attacking play and scoring instincts."

While he is bold in aiming for three points against the Rabbits, Alam Shah knows that results won’t come easy. But he expects his team to give everything they have.

"Even if our best is not enough given the difference in levels, a passionate, honest performance is a non-negotiable demand,” he asserted.

"Hard work never cheats—success will follow if we are honest in our contributions.”

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