Hougang United's preparations for the upcoming Singapore Premier League season continued with a 2-1 defeat against Negeri Sembilan FC in the Piala Serumpun 2026 at Stadium Tuanku Abdul Rahman on Saturday afternoon.
The Cheetahs travelled to Seremban for another important pre-season test, having been invited by Negeri Sembilan to compete in this year's edition of the Piala Serumpun.
Takahiro Koga started between the posts, with Zulqarnaen Suzliman, Washington Jaramillo, Koki Kawachi and Jordan Emaviwe forming the backline. Huzaifah Aziz, Sam Billington and Arya Igami featured in midfield, while Ayman Kassimi and Amir Syafiz supported Connor Flynn-Gillespie in attack.
It was a competitive opening half, with both sides looking to impose themselves on the contest. Hougang created opportunities to break the deadlock, but neither side managed to find the decisive touch in the final third.
Flynn-Gillespie and Jaramillo both received yellow cards during the opening 45 minutes as the teams went into the interval with the score still goalless.
The Cheetahs made two changes for the start of the second half, with Miloš Drinčić replacing Jaramillo in defence and Lucas Cardoso coming on for Billington.
And it was Cardoso who made an immediate impact.
In the 57th minute, Kassimi found space down the right side before providing the ball for the Brazilian, who finished the move to give Hougang a deserved 0-1 lead.
The advantage would last just a minute, however.
Negeri Sembilan responded immediately in the 58th minute. Koga produced the initial save to deny the hosts, but the rebound fell to Akhyar Rashid, who converted the follow-up to level the score at 1-1.
Oakley Cannonier was introduced shortly afterwards in place of Syafiz, while Khairin Nadim also entered the contest in place of Igami as Hougang continued to search for a second goal.
Despite the Cheetahs creating the greater number of opportunities over the course of the match, it was Negeri Sembilan who found the decisive goal in the 74th minute.
An attack down the left ended with the ball being played across to Takumi Sasaki, who finished from close range to put the hosts 2-1 ahead.
Hougang continued to push in search of an equaliser during the closing stages, but Negeri Sembilan held on to secure the victory and lift the Piala Serumpun 2026.
Despite the result, it was another encouraging test for the Cheetahs ahead of the new campaign. We created a good number of opportunities against strong opposition, while the match also provided further valuable minutes for the squad as preparations for the Singapore Premier League continue.
We would like to congratulate Negeri Sembilan FC on their victory in the Piala Serumpun 2026 and thank the club for inviting Hougang United to take part in this year's edition of the tournament.
Negeri Sembilan FC 2-1 Hougang United
⚽ 57' Lucas Cardoso (Ayman Kassimi)
⚽ 58' Akhyar Rashid
⚽ 74' Takumi Sasaki
🏟️ Stadium Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Paroi
📅 Saturday, 15 August 2026
Hougang United: Takahiro Koga, Zulqarnaen Suzliman, Washington Jaramillo, Koki Kawachi, Jordan Emaviwe, Huzaifah Aziz, Sam Billington, Arya Igami, Ayman Kassimi, Connor Flynn-Gillespie, Amir Syafiz.
Substitutes used: Miloš Drinčić (Washington Jaramillo), Lucas Cardoso (Sam Billington), Oakley Cannonier (Amir Syafiz), Khairin Nadim (Arya Igami).