Ramdani's raring to go
Fit-again player wants to lead Jaguars to top-half finish and Singapore Cup glory
TANJONG PAGAR v BALESTIER KHALSA
(Tonight, 7.30pm, Queenstown Stadium)
He was one of Tanjong Pagar's "Three Musketeers" who stole the headlines last season, but a torn knee ligament left Kamel Ramdani watching his side nosedive to 10th place in the Great Eastern-Yeo's S.League.
The Frenchman bagged 10 goals last term. Together with Monsef Zerka (12) and Ismael Benahmed (seven), the trio accounted for 29 of the Jaguars' 36 league goals.
Speaking to The New Paper yesterday, Ramdani said: "It was difficult to sit on the bench because I really wanted to play, but I physically couldn't help my teammates. It was frustrating."
After being sidelined since the end of February, he has since returned to the squad - first as a substitute in the Jaguars' 1-1 draw with Geylang International on May 1, and then regaining his starting place.
While raring to make up for lost time, the midfielder admits it may take a while for him to get back to last season's form.
"I'm fully fit, and I'm looking to play for 90 minutes in every game from now on," said Ramdani, whose side will take on Balestier Khalsa at Queenstown Stadium tonight.
"But I think I need a few more games to get a feel of the ball after being injured for so long.
"We haven't had good results, and a lot of people have been waiting for me to score again."
The Frenchman got back on the scoring charts in their 1-1 draw with Hougang in their last league outing.
"Scoring against Hougang was good, but I feel that I can still improve," Ramdani said.
"It's still a long way to go this term, and I cannot say that I will beat last season's tally, but I will try my best."
TURNAROUND
Ramdani believes that with his return to fitness, as well as the imminent return of Masrezwan Masturi and Justin Khiang, the Jaguars are in for a turnaround.
"We have to be realistic," he added.
"We're so far behind in the league, but it would be great to finish in the top half or maybe even better than last season. I am personally targeting the RHB Singapore Cup.
"We're in the quarter-finals, and I'm sure we can go into the final like last time, and win it, if we're lucky in the draw and we fight for the games.
"Those are my two targets now that I am back with the team. I am back where I belong."
I'm fully fit, and I'm looking to play for 90 minutes in every game from now on.
- Kamel Ramdani
FIXTURES
- Tanjong Pagar United v Balestier Khalsa
(Tonight, 7.30pm, Queenstown Stadium)
- Albirex Niigata v Hougang United
(Tomorrow, 7,30pm, Jurong East Stadium)
- Harimau Muda B v Warriors FC
(Tomorrow, 8.45pm, Pasir Gudang Stadium)
- Geylang International v Tampines Rovers
(Friday, 7.30pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)
- Brunei DPMM v Home United
(Friday, 8.15pm, Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium)
TOP SCORERS
12 GOALS Rodrigo Tosi (DPMM)
11 Roy O’ Donovan (DPMM), Kazuki Sakamoto (Albirex)
10 Goran Ljubojevic (Balestier)
9 Geison Moura (Hougang), Nicolas Velez (Warriors)
8 Miljan Mrdakovic (Tampines), Miroslav Pejic (Warriors)
7 Diego Gama (Hougang)
6 Leo Felice (Geylang), Fazrul Nawaz (Home), Kwon Da Kyung (Home)
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