Following their 2022 Singapore Cup victory, Hougang United's 2023 season started with high hopes. However, a slow start in the SPL, with just one win in their first seven matches, dashed their title aspirations. A coaching change sparked a turnaround, leading the Cheetahs to a Singapore Cup final appearance before ultimately falling to Lion City Sailors.
Transfer
Looking ahead to 2024, Hougang United is undergoing a significant squad overhaul. Key figures like Zaiful Nizam, Nazrul Nazari, Anders Aplin, Shahdan Sulaiman, and soon-to-be-naturalized Kristijan Krajcek will provide experience and continuity. Underperforming players have been released, paving the way for fresh talent.
The Cheetahs are embracing a Balkan influence with the signings of Ensar Brunčević (former Balestier defender), Stjepan Plazonja, Petar Banović, and Faris Hasic from Croatia and Bosnia. Additionally, Puttipat Kaewsawad joins on loan, while Shodai Yokoyama arrives from league champions Albirex Niigata (S).
This revamped Hougang United squad appears poised to challenge for success in the upcoming season.
Pre-season
In pre-season friendlies, the team enjoyed victories over Geylang International, Lion City Sailors, and Tanjong Pagar United. However, they fell short against Young Lions and BG Tampines Rovers.
Additionally, they participated in the SMJ Cup organized by Sabah FC, competing alongside Kuching City FC, Kuala Lumpur FC, and the hosts themselves.
Updated to match(es) played on 13 January 2025. Source: Singapore Premier League Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of wins Notes:
^ abTwo clubs – DPMM FC and the FAS under-23 team Young Lions, are ineligible for any AFC competition spots.
Warning: The SYL official website has stopped publishing results since March 16, 2024. Therefore, the table you are viewing may not accurately reflect the actual goals scored, conceded, or the goal difference. Any actual result published is based on club or fan club released.
Win Draw Loss
2024 Classification Stage Group B League matches & table
Hougang United v Pasirian Lions
25 February 2024 1
Hougang United
2–0
Pasirian Lions
Hougang
Stadium: Hougang Stadium Referee: M.Karthigesan
Hougang United v Geylang International
3 March 2024 2
Hougang United
1–2
Geylang International
Woodlands
Adam Irfan ?', ??'
Stadium: Woodlands Stadium Referee: Ramli Mohd
Hougang United v ActiveSG
16 March 2024 3
Hougang United
1–5
ActiveSG
Jalan Besar
Kabir Das 90+3'
Lim Kai Sheun 7' Aidan Irfan 32' Sean Ong 34', 45', 59'
Stadium: Jalan Besar Stadium Referee: Chan Kok Wai
Levi Faris 35' Arriszal Arham 40' Deshan Gunasegara 85'
Stadium: Woodlands Stadium
Hougang United v Woodlands Warriors
1 June 2024 8
Hougang United
3–0
Woodlands Warriors
Woodlands
Arriszal Arham 27' Charles 29' Deshan Gunasegara 37'
Stadium: Woodlands Stadium
Hougang United v Balestier Khalsa
8 June 2024 9
Hougang United
6–0
Balestier Khalsa
Yishun
Stadium: Yishun Stadium
Hougang United v ActiveSG
15 June 2024 10
Hougang United
2–5
ActiveSG
Bukit Gombak
Stadium: Bukit Gombak Stadium
Hougang United v Albirex Niigata (S)
3 August 2024 11
Hougang United
0–0
Albirex Niigata (S)
Woodlands
Stadium: Woodlands Stadium
Hougang United v Lion City Sailors
17 August 2024 12
Hougang United
0–3
Lion City Sailors
Bishan
Stadium: Bishan Stadium
Hougang United v Tanjong Pagar United
24 August 2024 13
Hougang United
1–1
Tanjong Pagar United
Kallang
Stadium: Kallang Football Hub
Hougang United v Geylang International
31 August 2024 14
Hougang United
0–5
Geylang International
Jurong East
Stadium: Jurong East Stadium
Hougang United v BG Tampines Rovers
7 September 2024 15
Hougang United
1–2
BG Tampines Rovers
Jalan Besar
Sky Yeo
Adly Nufail
Stadium: Jalan Besar Stadium
Hougang United v Woodlands Lions
14 September 2024 16
Hougang United
5–3
Woodlands Lions
Jurong East
Stadium: Jurong East Stadium
Hougang United v Woodlands Warriors
21 September 2024 17
Hougang United
4–0
Woodlands Warriors
Jurong East
Stadium: Jurong East Stadium
Hougang United v Balestier Khalsa
28 September 2024 18
Hougang United
1–2
Balestier Khalsa
Jalan Besar
Stadium: Jalan Besar Stadium
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Qualification or relegation
1
Lion City Sailors (C)
18
15
3
0
76
9
+67
48
League champion
2
Geylang International
18
14
1
3
58
11
+47
43
3
Albirex Niigata (S)
18
10
4
4
42
15
+27
34
4
ActiveSG FA
18
10
1
7
65
25
+40
31
5
BG Tampines Rovers
18
9
3
6
42
25
+17
30
6
Balestier Khalsa
18
9
3
6
37
35
+2
30
7
Tanjong Pagar United
18
5
2
11
33
50
−17
17
8
Hougang United
18
5
2
11
31
50
−19
17
9
Woodlands Lions (R)
18
2
2
14
12
54
−42
8
Relegated to 2024 Division 2
10
Woodlands Warriors FC (R)
18
0
1
17
0
122
−122
1
Updated to match(es) played on 3 April 2021. Source: Singapore Youth League (C) Champions; (R) Relegated
2025 Division 1 League matches & table
Pos
Team
Pld
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Qualification or relegation
1
Lion City Sailors (C)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
League champion
2
Geylang International
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
Albirex Niigata (S)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
4
ActiveSG FA
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5
BG Tampines Rovers
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
Balestier Khalsa
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
7
Tanjong Pagar United
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
Hougang United
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
Star Soccer Academy (R)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Relegated to 2024 Division 2
10
St Michael Soccer Academy (R)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
Updated to match(es) played on 3 April 2021. Source: Singapore Youth League (C) Champions; (R) Relegated
Competition (U15)
Warning: The SYL official website has stopped publishing results since March 16, 2024. Therefore, the table you are viewing may not accurately reflect the actual goals scored, conceded, or the goal difference. Any actual result published is based on club or fan club released.
Win Draw Loss
2024 Classification Stage Group A League matches & table
Hougang United v School Football Academy
25 February 2024 1
Hougang United
1–3
School Football Academy
Choa Chu Kang
Stadium: Choa Chu Kang Stadium Referee: Allen Ng
Hougang United v Tasek Sailors West A
3 March 2024 2
Hougang United
1–0
Tasek Sailors West A
Choa Chu Kang
Stadium: Choa Chu Kang Stadium Referee: Isa Nuruddin
Warning: The SYL official website has stopped publishing results since March 16, 2024. Therefore, the table you are viewing may not accurately reflect the actual goals scored, conceded, or the goal difference. Any actual result published is based on club or fan club released.
Win Draw Loss
2024 Classification Stage Group A League matches & table
Hougang United v Pasirian Lions
2 March 2024 1
Hougang United
9–0
Pasirian Lions
Yishun
Stadium: Yishun Stadium Referee: Raffid Othman
Hougang United v Tanjong Pagar United
10 March 2024 2
Hougang United
0–1
Tanjong Pagar United
Hougang
Stadium: Hougang Stadium Referee: Kai Dan
Hougang United v Singapore Sports School
16 March 2024 3
Hougang United
0–4
Singapore Sports School
Woodlands
Stadium: Singapore Sports School Referee: Alson Foo
Hougang United v Woodlands Lions
23 March 2024 4
Hougang United
1–0
Woodlands Lions
Bukit Gombak
Stadium: Bukit Gombak Stadium Referee: Mazlan Pagira
Hougang United v Pasirian Lions
6 April 2024 5
Hougang United
18–0
Pasirian Lions
Bukit Gombak
Stadium: Bukit Gombak Stadium Referee: Soh Liang Hao
Hougang United v Tanjong Pagar United
13 April 2024 6
Hougang United
4–1
Tanjong Pagar United
Bukit Gombak
Stadium: Bukit Gombak Stadium Referee: Andrew Kee
Hougang United v Singapore Sports School
30 April 2024 7 (Rescheduled)
Hougang United
2–6
Singapore Sports School
Woodlands
Stadium: Singapore Sports School Referee: Salleh Abu Bakar
Updated to match(es) played on 15 September 2024. Source: Women's Premier League Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) goal difference; 3) number of goals scored; 4) number of wins (C) League champions