Hougang United Football Club is a professional football club based in Hougang, Singapore. The club competes in the Singapore Premier League, the top tier of Singaporean football.
Founded in 1998 as Marine Castle United, the club changed its name to Hougang United in 2011. Nicknamed the Cheetahs, Hougang United has played its home games at Hougang Stadium since its formation. Throughout the club history, they have won 1 Singapore Cup in the 2022 season.
History
Beginning and breakthrough (1988–2001) The club was founded as Marine Castle United Football Club in 1988 as a National Football League team which was formed by Newcastle United fans in the Marine Parade area. The club was nicknamed the Dolphins.
Becoming a professional club In 1998, Marine Castle United managed to enter the S.League signing both foreigners players, Scott O'Donell and Bernard Aryee in their debut season in the professional league. However, the club struggled in its early foray, finishing in the bottom two for the next four seasons. The club's chairman during the time was Dilwant Singh.
As Sengkang Marine (2002–2004) Marine Castle United then changed its name to Sengkang Marine Football Club in 2002. Sengkang Marine went on to finish in 8th position consecutively, its highest-ever finish. Financial difficulties forced Sengkang Marine out of the S.League in 2004.
Different identity as Paya Lebar-Punggol (2005) In the 2005 season, Paya Lebar-Punggol was formed to replace Sinchi FC in the league. The club then went on to sign Kenan Ragipović, Moudourou Moise, Protais Bessala and Bae Jin-soo as the club foreign players for the season. However, the club finished the season at the bottom of the league with four points.
Sengkang-Punggol (2006–2011) In January 2006, Sengkang Marine merged with Paya Lebar-Punggol to form Sengkang Punggol Football Club, with the club logo featuring a dolphin and main colour being sea blue. In September, Singapore-based Orientus Asia Hotels and Resorts became the main sponsor of the club with deal worth $250,000. The club continued to play in the league but never went higher than 10th place.
As Hougang United (2011–present) On 1 January 2011, the chairman of Sengkang Punggol Football Club, Bill Ng, announced name change to Hougang United Football Club. In November 2014, it was announced that Hougang United and Woodlands Wellington will merge for the 2015 season.
AFC Cup debut (2020) Hougang United made their AFC Cup debut in the 2020 AFC Cup but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the tournament got cancelled. They only played against Laos side, Lao Toyota, winning 1–3 at the New Laos National Stadium. The Cheetahs also qualified for the 2022 AFC Cup group stage where they played at a centralised venue, Thống Nhất Stadium. They started by winning 4–3 against Cambodian side Phnom Penh Crown and 3–1 against Laos side Young Elephants, before suffering a heavy defeat to Vietnamese Viettel 5–2.
First silverware (2022) On 19 November 2022, under the lead of caretaker manager Firdaus Kassim, Hougang United defeated defending champions Tampines Rovers 3–2 in the 2022 Singapore Cup final, in which Kristijan Krajček scored a hat-trick to secure The Cheetahs their first-ever silverware. The club finished 5th in the Singapore Premier League. In the 2022 AFC Cup, Hougang United was than placed in Group I alongside Cambodian club Phnom Penh Crown, Laotion club Young Elephants and Vietnamnese club Viettel. Hougang United recorded victories over Phnom Penh Crown and Young Elephants, winning 4–3 and 3–1 respectively. However, the club suffered a 2–5 defeat to Viettel which resulted in their elimination from the group stage.
Hougang United started off their 2023–24 AFC Cup campaign with a trip to Kota Kinabalu, facing Sabah on 21 September. They suffered a 3–1 away lost. However, in the next match against Haiphong at the Jalan Besar Stadium, Hougang United bounced back from 1–0 down as Đorđe Maksimović scored a brace for a 2–1 victory. Hougang United went on to have a great run in the 2023 Singapore Cup where they reached the final.
Notable foreign imports (2026–present) While preparing for the 2026–27 season under new head coach, Akbar Nawas, HHougang United entered the transfer market to strengthen their squad ahead of the new season. Hougang United managed to sign several foreign, including Lucas Cardoso, Miloš Drinčić, Connor Flynn-Gillespie, Ayman Kassimi, Sam Billington, Takahiro Koga, Koki Kawachi and Arya Igami Tarhani. The club also made headlines with the signing of former Liverpool academy player Oakley Cannonier, as well as Mahamé Siby. Alongside their foreign signings, Hougang United strengthen their squad with several established local players, including Zulqarnaen Suzliman, Amir Syafiz and Jordan Emaviwe. In their opening league match of the season on 12 September 2026, Hougang United held reigning league champions Lion City Sailors to a 2–2 draw, securing a point in their opening fixture.
Team image
Supporters
Hougang HOOLS The club has a supporters' club known as the Hougang HOOLS (Hougang Only One Love), which was established in 2010. The hashtag #1H1H (Satu Hati Satu Hougang) featured on the 2023 jersey.
Scholarship The Hougang United Scholarship was launched in May 2015. The scholarship aims to support and facilitate the academic development of young non-professional footballing talents.
Name history
Marine Castle United (1998–2001) Sengkang Marine (2002–2003) Paya Lebar-Punggol (2005) Sengkang-Punggol (2006–2011) Hougang United (2011–present)
Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors Period Kit manufacturer Kit sponsor 2008–2009 UhlsportNo sponsor 2010 Diadora Westcomb Financial Group 2011 MitreNo sponsor 2012 Acono 2013 Waga 2014 Macron 2015–2016 Vonda ESW Manage2017 Green Rubber2018 Assisi Hospice2019–2021 WarrixNo sponsor 2022 The Physio Circle 2023 Ari 2024–2025 KelmeNo sponsor 2025–2026 Volt SuperCharge2025–present IMANENo sponsor
Stadium The Cheetah's home ground is Hougang Stadium. The stadium has a capacity of 3,800 people. They were the tenants from 1998 until 2023, before moving out to the Jalan Besar Stadium due to renovation. It has also used Bishan Stadium as their temporary home stadium or whenever the club is playing in the AFC competition.
Affiliated clubs Nongbua Pitchaya (2025–present)
Players
First-team squad
(on loan from Port)
(on loan from Port)
Reserve League (SPL2) squad
U21
U21
U21
On loan
(National Service until 2026) (National Service until 2026, to Young Lions)
Management and staff Position NameChairman Bill NgVice chairman Pan Cheok Fun General manager Dominic Wong Team manager Prat Malarat Head coach Akbar Nawas Assistant coach Thongchai Rungreangles Enrique Sanchez Murillo Thomas PangGoalkeeping coach Scott StarrChief analyst Carlos Álvarez Aller Sports Trainer Razif AriffHead of youth Walid Lounis Physiotherapist Alif Jamal Equipment officer Richard Lim
Honours Cup Singapore Cup Champions (1): 2022 Runners up (1): 2023 Singapore Community Shield Runners up (2): 2020, 2023 Plate Runners up (1): 2012 Singapore League Cup Runners up (1): 2012
Award winners Domestic League Player of the Year Stipe Plazibat (2020)
League Coach of the Year Clement Teo (2021) Goal of the Year Huzaifah Aziz against Lion City Sailors (12 April 2026)
League Team of the Year Nazrul Nazari (2019) Faris Ramli (2019) Kaishu Yamazaki (2021) Tomoyuki Doi (2021)
Records and statistics As of 13 September 2026. Top 10 all-time appearances Rank Player YearsClub appearances 1 Nazrul Nazari 2016–2025 210 2 Lau Meng Meng 2009–2015 174 3 Nurhilmi Jasni 2012–2018 165 4 Faizal Amir 2010–2016 146 5 Fadhil Salim 2010–2014 142 6 Azhar Sairudin 2011–2014, 2017 138 7 Fairoz Hasan 2013–2017, 2023 137 8 Sobrie Mazelan 2008–2014 135 9 Fazli Jaffar 2011–2014, 2015 130 10 Mamadou Diallo 2008–2013 126
Top 10 all-time scorers Rank Player Club appearances Total goals 1 Stipe Plazibat 57 34 Jordan Webb 88 3 Mamadou Diallo 126 28 4 Dejan Račić 31 26 5 Pedro Bortoluzo 30 23 Geison Moura 32 6 Diego Gama 63 22 7 Kristijan Krajček56 21 Shawal Anuar 68 10 Tomoyuki Doi 21 19 Nurhilmi Jasni 165
Notable players Scott O'Donell Grant Holt Michael Currie Jason White Jordan Webb Mamadou Diallo Tomoyuki Doi Pedro Bortoluzo André Moritz Kristijan Krajček
Internationally capped players AFC/OFC Zac Anderson Sutanto Tan Yuki Uchiyama Jaushua Sotirio Cole Tinkler Jang Jo-yoon Settawut Wongsai Yotsakorn Burapha CAF Bernard Aryee Kim Grant Nabilai Kibunguchy UEFA Zdravko Šimić Oakley Cannonier Dejan Račić Miloš Drinčić CONMEBOL/ CONCACAF Gloire Amanda Sam Strong
Managerial history The following table provides a summary of the coach appointed by the club.
Name Period Achievements As Marine Castle United Alan Vest 1 January–30 July 2001 As Sengkang Marine Trevor Morgan 1 August 2001–30 July 2003 Abdullah Noor 1 August–31 December 2003 As Paya Lebar Punggol Chow Kwai Lam 1 January–4 June 2005 Qi Yubo 12 June–31 December 2005 As Sengkang Punggol Trevor Morgan 10 January 2006–19 September 2007 Saswadimata Dasuki 20 September 2007–21 July 2008 Mirko Grabovac (interim) 29 July–5 October 2008 Swandi Ahmad (caretaker) 6 October–31 December 2008 Jörg Steinebrunner 1 January–24 June 2009 As Hougang United Aide Iskandar (interim) 25 June–31 December 2009 Aide Iskandar 1 January 2010–31 December 2011 Nenad Baćina 1 December 2011–30 November 2012 Johana Johari (interim) 30 November–31 December 2012 Alex Weaver 1 January–31 March 2013 Johana Johari (caretaker) April–August 2013 Amin Nasir 21 August 2013–31 December 2014 Salim Moin 1 January–30 October 2015 Satyasagara 1 November 2015–30 November 2016 Philippe Aw January 2017–June 2018 Clement Teo June 2017–20 November 2022 Firdaus Kassim20 November 2022–17 April 2023 2022 Singapore Cup Marko Kraljević17 April 2023–24 December 2024 2023 Singapore Cup runner-up Robert Eziakor (interim)24 December 2024–27 October 2025 Pannarai Pansiri27 October 2025–12 April 2026 Akbar Nawas12 April 2026–present
Season by season record Season Name of club League Pos. P W D L GS GA Pts Singapore Cup League Cup 1998 Marine Castle United S.League 11th 20 2 3 15 19 44 9 Group stage 1999 12th 22 3 3 16 21 56 12 Round of 16 2000 11th 22 4 4 14 18 45 16 Round of 16 2001 11th 33 7 6 20 35 71 27 Group stage 2002 Sengkang Marine 8th 33 11 6 16 62 84 39 Semi-finals 2003 8th 33 7 8–1 17 32 66 38 Group stage 2004 2005 Paya Lebar Punggol S.League 10th27 1 1 25 23 78 4Preliminary 2006 Sengkang Punggol 11th 30 4 6 20 32 72 18 Quarter-finals 2007 11th 33 5 10 18 39 69 25 Quarter-finalsRunners-up 2008 11th 33 3 10 20 13 54 19 Round of 16 Preliminary 2009 10th 30 5 6 19 26 58 21 Round of 16 Group stage 2010 11th 33 7 6 20 24 48 27 Round of 16 Semi-finals 2011 Hougang United 7th 33 15 3 15 55 63 43* Semi-finalsRunners-up 2012 8th 24 7 8 9 31 33 29 Quarter-finals Quarter-finals 2013 10th 27 9 3 15 37 40 30 Quarter-finals Group stage 2014 7th 27 12 6 9 49 42 42 Preliminary Semi-finals 2015 10th 27 4 9 14 28 42 21 Preliminary Semi-finals 2016 6th 24 9 5 10 35 39 32 Preliminary Group stage 2017 6th 24 9 3 12 24 31 30 Semi-finals Group stage 2018 Singapore Premier League 9th 24 2 6 16 22 44 12 Quarter-finals 2019 3rd 24 13 4 7 58 45 43 Group stage 2020 6th 14 4 3 7 19 24 15 2021 3rd 21 10 4 7 48 40 3420225th281099657139Winners20236th249213375729Runners-up2024–257th3271015617631Group stage2025–266th217014244121Group stage
2003 saw the introduction of penalty shoot-outs if a match ended in a draw in regular time. Winners of penalty shoot-outs gained two points instead of one. Sengkang Marine sat out the 2004 S.League season. They merged with Paya Lebar Punggol to form Sengkang Marine on their return to the S.League in 2006. Hougang United deducted 5-point for a pre-match brawl with Etoile during the 2011 season.
Continental record