SINGAPORE PREMIER LEAGUE
Tampines Rovers 0
Albirex Niigata 0
It was tactical cat and mouse in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) yesterday as leaders Tampines Rovers laid siege but had to settle for a 0-0 draw against Albirex Niigata.
Fireworks were expected from this fixture as the Stags, with 11 goals from three games, faced last season's undefeated champions but, in the end, the White Swans' defence held firm before 2,745 fans at Our Tampines Hub.
A disappointed Stags coach Gavin Lee said: "It's two points dropped. We could argue that they (Albirex) had chances), but we should have taken our chances.
"But we will get better with more training and, knowing these boys, they will rebound quickly."
White Swans coach Keiji Shigetomi found some satisfaction in his team's defensive strength, saying: "They (Tampines) can have the ball, but not in our vital areas. We have played them in a pre-season friendly (losing 4-0) and we understand their attacking threats. Our plan was to block all their avenues of attack."
The result keeps Tampines top of the nine-team SPL standings on 10 points from four games, three ahead of Brunei DPMM, who have a game in hand. Albirex are sixth with two points from three games.
The two clubs are known for their attacking football, but it was Albirex, yet to score this season, who had to dig in to repel waves of attacks from the Stags.
Lee applied pressure through his wingers - Jordan Webb and Ryutaro Megumi - and Webb came close in the 19th minute, nicking the ball off defender Shuhei Sasahara but curling wide from an acute angle. In the 35th minute, Megumi volleyed wide from close range and, in stoppage time, striker Khairul Amri missed a good chance which could have won it for the home team.
"Everyone could see that Albirex came with a clear game plan. We predicted that but, unfortunately, we could not get into a rhythm in the first half," Lee said.
"We gave Albirex a few more problems in the second half. It wasn't easy as they were looking to hit us on the break. In the end, it was an even game."
Despite ending Tampines' three-game winning streak, Albirex finished the game with some regrets.
Shigetomi said: "I'm more frustrated with no goals being scored. We have taken a clean sheet against Tampines, but we still need to work hard on our attacking play.
"The players have to work more on their finishing, be more ruthless, more decisive and improve their accuracy."
Meanwhile, the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) announced yesterday sanctions against two National Football League players for cheating during the mandatory 2.4km fitness test.
Shahir Hamzah and Masnashzreen Masturi from Yishun Sentek Mariners allowed "unknown persons" to impersonate them and take the test on their behalf.
Photographic and video evidence were collected to prove their guilt and both players were banned from being registered in any FAS organised or sanctioned competitions until the end of the 2021 season.
Barcelona played hosts to Liverpool at the Camp Nou in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals and registered a 3-0 win. The win almost confirms their passage to the finals but will be wary of being complacent in the second leg, keeping in mind their past experiences. Here are three things we learned from Barcelona's 3-0 win over
Asian Cup: 'Emotional breakdown' as Japan stun imploding Iran
The 2019 season is Young Lion's 16th consecutive season in the top flight of Singapore football and in the S.League.
Football: 'Adulting' Ikhsan finds his footing in Norway
Women in football face daily battle, says France coach. By. AFP - December 18, 2018 12:22 PM. France women's football team coach Corinne Diacre (right) and Eastern football club head coach Chan
Women in football face daily battle, says France coach
Molde owners will support me if I stay at Manchester United: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has said the owners of Norwegian club Molde sent him to Old Trafford with their blessing and asked him to try to turn his temporary stint at the club into a permanent role.
Molde owners will support me if I stay at United-Solskjaer
Solskjaer vows to make Man Utd players run faster and further despite injury crisis OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER says his Manchester United regime will be a survival of the fittest — despite his
Solskjaer Vows To Sign Right Players For Man Utd - Thewistle
MANCHESTER: Pep Guardiola says Manchester City and Liverpool have raised the bar in what is required to win a Premier League title after a blockbuster campaign by both teams. If both sides win
Guardiola: Man City have raised the bar in EPL, Latest
Football: Qatar players cleared in eligibility row just before Asian Cup final against four-time champs Japan. Qatar's players warming up ahead of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup final football match
Football: Qatar players cleared in eligibility row just
Paris Saint-Germain boss Thomas Tuchel says it will be 'super difficult' for Neymar to be fit for their Champions League tie against Manchester United next month. The Brazilian superstar suffered a fractured metatarsal against Strasbourg in the French Cup on Wednesday night.
UEFA Champions League: 'Super difficult' for Neymar to be fit
Napoli draw puts Juventus coronation on hold. By AFP: Monday, April 8th 2019 at 08:02 GMT +3 | Football The race for Champions League football next season remains tight with just Atalanta
Napoli draw puts Juventus coronation on hold - Khaleej Times
Bayern reach German Cup final to keep double in sight
Football: Spalletti leaves Inter Milan despite securing Champions League spot, Conte set to take over MILAN (AFP) - Luciano Spalletti has left Inter Milan, the Serie A club announced on Thursday (May 30), with former Italy manager Antonio Conte set to be announced as the club's new coach.
Football: Spalletti leaves Inter Milan despite securing
virginiabus.info/sports/football-spalletti-leaves-inter-milan-despite-securing-champions-league-spot-conte-set-to-take-over/
MILAN (AFP) - Luciano Spalletti has left Inter Milan, the Serie A club announced on Thursday (May 30), with former Italy manager Antonio Conte set to be announced as the club's new coach. "Luciano Spalletti is no longer head coach of the first team," Inter said in a statement.
Spalletti leaves Inter Milan with Conte set to take over
Ajax stunned Juventus to reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time since 1997 as Matthijs de Ligt's thumping second-half header secured a 2-1 second-leg victory in the last eight
Ajax stun Ronaldo's Juventus to reach Champions League semis
0 comments:
Post a Comment