Best friends Stjepan Plazonja and Dejan Racic hope to turn Hougang United’s fortunes around

SINGAPORE – Since joining Hougang United in mid-June, Dejan Racic has developed a strong partnership on the field with Croatian winger and fellow new signing Stjepan Plazonja.

Of the Montenegrin striker’s four goals in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) this season, three have been assisted by Plazonja, who has also netted four times.

And they are looking to build on their impressive start when Hougang face third-placed Geylang International at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Aug 2.

The duo’s performances have been one of the few bright sparks for the struggling Cheetahs, who are second from bottom in the nine-team league with a sole win from 10 matches.

Racic, 26, said: “We understand each other well on the pitch and it’s good when you have teammates who know your movement. His crosses are all on-time and it’s a good start for us. If we win some of the next games too, it’ll be good for the club.”

He described it as a telepathic connection on the pitch and Plazonja, also 26, agreed, adding that he likes “playing with this type of strikers”. 

He noted: “The two of us score goals together, and expect more in the next few games because we have a very good friendship.”

Both men also spend much of their time outside of football together, going for coffee after training and visiting local attractions on their days off. “We are best friends here,” Racic said.

Coach Marko Kraljevic highlighted the pair’s importance, saying: “Stjepan has very good size. He can also deliver good crosses and beat opponents one on one. Dejan is good in the box, he’s always in there scoring goals.

“(But) they can do much better, because they’re just starting to play together and need some time.”

The 58-year-old will have to continue counting on them, after a dismal start to the season for the 2022 Singapore Cup winners sees him under pressure.

Injuries to key players at different points, including influential midfielder Kristijan Krajcek, who has been out with a joint problem since September 2023 and is set to return in October, have disrupted their season.

Giving opponents too much space, poor defending and new players needing time to gel have also been factors, Kraljevic explained.

“You need to build a house from the foundation,” he added. “We must build up from behind and be tough, to close down opponents quicker. This is the starting point.”