SINGAPORE - Tampines Rovers have spluttered a little following a fine start to the season, but head coach Kadir Yahaya on Tuesday (April 16) said he believes a 10-day break ahead of their AFC Cup Group F game with Nagaworld FC on Wednesday has rejuvenated the squad.
The Stags had won four and drawn one of their first five games in all competitions, scoring 15 goals along the way, but then squandereda host of chances in a 0-0 draw with Albirex Niigata in the Singapore Premier League on March 29.
They rebounded by beating Nagaworld 5-1 in Phnom Penh three days later, but then slipped to a 2-1 loss to Brunei DPMM in Bandar Seri Begawan on April 7. Kadir said the travelling took its toll on his players.
Speaking at the pre-game press conference at the Peninsula Excelsior Hotel, the 51-year-old said: "It has been a much-needed break.
"We have been travelling, training, playing and it is tiring, especially for the national team boys who came back (from international duty in late-March).
"Some had niggling injuries, some were not 100 per cent fit, but we have got them rested and now they're coming back fresh. We hope the rest will see us give a good performance tomorrow."
Tampines defender Amirul Adli, 23, said he and his teammates are very motivated to bounce back from the DPMM loss.
"We are looking at the big picture; there are a lot of games this season and this is just one setback," he said. "We'll learn from our mistakes in the Brunei game, and we are raring to go. We will use the loss as a motivation for us to get back to our winning ways and do even better from now on."
Despite their handsome win in the first meeting with the Cambodian team , Kadir warned the scoreline flattered the Stags.
"The game was quite even, and at 1-1 (Nagaworld) had clear chance to make it 2-1 but were not able to take it," noted the former Singapore defender. "After that we controlled the game and scored our goals... So we are taking this game very seriously."
Tampines top Group F with seven points after three games, followed by Vietnam's Ha Noi (four), Nagaworld and Myanmar's Yangon United (both on three points).
Nagaworld coach Meas Channa, however, is bracing for another onslaught at the Jalan Besar Stadium. The 35-year-old singled out the Stags trio of Japanese winger Ryutaro Megumi, Canadian attacker Jordan Webb and Serbian playmaker Zehrudin Mehmedovic as danger men.
"Tomorrow's game will be very tough for us," said Channa, whose side were also trounced 10-0 by Vietnamese side Ha Noi in an earlier Group F game.
"We played well in the first half (in Phnom Penh) so we will try to do that again, but we may have to be more defensive in the second half."
Arnautovic ends drought as West Ham sink Saints first Premier League strike helped West Ham beat Southampton 3-0 at London Stadium on Saturday to complete their first league double over the
Arnautovic ends drought as West Ham sink Southampton
The England national football team is the joint-oldest in the world; it was formed at the same time as Scotland.A representative match between England and Scotland was played on 5 March 1870, having been organised by the Football Association.
Payvand News Of Iran: Sports
Blues expect hard time at Fulham after Ranieri exit LONDON • Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri has backed the sacked Claudio Ranieri to come back stronger, at the same time warning his players to expect a strong reaction today from Fulham following the departure of his fellow Italian.
Latest FULHAM | The Straits Times
May 31, 2019 · The United States and China must find ways to coexist before rising trade and security tensions spiral out of control, Asian political figures and experts say. "We are now entering into a period
China sets out grand plan to become world's soccer superpower
Reserves deliver as Spurs eye City clash - straitstimes.com
* Cardiff City beat Southampton 2-1 after a thrilling finish. toggle menu Football
Soccer-Zohore gives Cardiff 2-1 win over Southampton in
Live football odds with bet365. Mbappe reaches Ligue 1 half century as PSG brush Nimes aside. Paris Saint-Germain Christopher Nkunku's opener and Mbappe's second half-double maintained PSG
Football news - Kylian Mbappe reaches half century as PSG
Antonio Conte wants more of the same from his Chelsea players when Manchester City visit on Wednesday, despite suffering a shock home defeat to Crystal Palace last time out. Goals from Wilfried Zaha and Christian Benteke on Saturday reduced Chelsea's lead at the top of the Premier League to seven
News - Giallorossi Yorkshire
Football: Luis Suarez says Barcelona 'looked like schoolboys' in Champions League loss. Barcelona player Luis Suarez during the UEFA Champions League semi final 2nd leg match between Liverpool and
Barcelona defence looked like schoolboys against Liverpool
London (AFP) - Maurizio Sarri has downplayed Pep Guardiola's suggestion that Chelsea are still in the Premier League title race as he prepares his team to face leaders Manchester City on Sunday. The 60-year-old Italian said his side were "lucky" to beat City in December when they ended the champi
Chelsea not in Premier League title race, says Sarri | Sport24
Lakers coach Luke Walton called out several players for their selfish approach Saturday, leading to a heated exchange with some veterans, sources told ESPN. people are always emotional after a
Three-pointers: Takeaways from the Rockets' loss to the
The Reds moved back to the top of the table with a comprehensive 5-0 victory over relegated Huddersfield, with Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah each bagging a brace following Naby Keita's opener
Reds are '10 games from greatness' whether Klopp admits it or
The 25 Best Space Movies, Ranked Please join us at The Ringer as we celebrate and explore the cultural resonance and science of space all week long But what is most lost about Avatar's
Lost in Space | Lost in Space Wiki - lostinspace.fandom.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment