On 1 November, at Our Tampines Hub, Geylang International were trailing Albirex Niigata (S) 1-0  in their Singapore Cup Group Stage opener, and Eagles’ Head Coach Noor Ali immediately turned to his star playmaker for inspiration. 

To the surprise of several in the stands, Vincent Bezecourt had started the game on the bench, and there was palpable excitement when the Frenchman entered the pitch, his eagerness to make an impact matching the energy of the crowd. 

Unfortunately, Bezecourt’s cameo lasted just 20 minutes before he was forced off with what looked like a shoulder issue. 

“The team was already in a tough situation as we were playing with 10 men when I came on, so not being able to help them was very frustrating for me,” he said.

“Albirex is a strong side, and playing them with a man down is always going to be difficult. We tried to keep the scoreline tight and hit them on the counter, but we were unable to do that.” 

Bezecourt could only watch on from the sidelines then as a Shingo Nakano hat-trick condemned the Eagles to a 3-0 loss, leaving them fourth in the five-team Singapore Cup standings – albeit having only played one game.

Despite that setback, Bezecourt remained bullish.

“That defeat is now behind us, and our focus is on the next one,” said the 32-year-old. “We know it is difficult for other teams to beat us when we are on our best day. As long as we perform on the pitch, I’m confident that good results will come.”

With domestic football returning after the FIFA International window – that saw the Singapore National Team secure qualification to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup Finals – Bezecourt’s Geylang have a chance to make amends when they face Hougang United in their second cup game at Our Tampines Hub on Saturday, 22 November. 

In recent weeks, Hougang look like a side that is starting to get in a groove. After enduring a difficult start to the season, they came close to holding BG Tampines Rovers to a draw in their recent Singapore Premier League (SPL) match, before beating Tanjong Pagar United 3-2 in their opening Cup match. 

And Bezecourt is wary of the threat the Cheetahs pose. 

“I expect Hougang to be dangerous on the transition and aggressive going forward, so we must match their intensity,” he said.  It’s going to be a close game, and hopefully we can come away with the three points.” 

Geylang won the Singapore Cup in 2009, but have found little joy in the competition in recent years, crashing out at the group stage in each of the last two editions. 

That, however, is a run that the Eagles are determined to bring to an end. 

“It’s been a while since Geylang lifted the trophy, and we haven’t done well in this tournament in the past few years that I’ve been here,” said Bezecourt. This year, Coach Noor Ali has made it clear that doing well in the Cup is one of the club’s objectives.

“We will try our best to qualify for the semi-finals, or even the final. Why can’t we pull off a surprise by winning the whole thing?” 

Bezecourt signed for Geylang in December 2021 and has experienced his fair share of highs and lows with the Eagles. This season, however, a nagging knee issue has tested him more than most, yet the Frenchman refuses to let it define his campaign. 

“I’ve been struggling a little physically this season, which hasn’t been easy. However, I’m determined to keep myself fit and healthy so I can help the team,” he said.

“Besides wanting to contribute with goals and assists, the team’s overall objectives remain the most important thing to me. I've grown a lot both as a player and a person since joining Geylang, and I will always be grateful to represent the club.” 

That gratitude extends beyond the pitch to the fans who have backed the Eagles through every twist of the journey, and Bezecourt has called on them to turn up in numbers this weekend. 

“I want to thank them for always sticking with us. Their support has been incredible each time we step onto the field, and I’m looking forward to seeing them again on Saturday.”

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