SINGAPORE - What a difference two months can make. On March 3, Tampines Rovers and Hougang United lined up in a lip-smacking opener to the Singapore Premier League (SPL) season, touted as a clash between potential title rivals.
Tampines trotted off the pitch at the Jalan Besar Stadium with a handsome 5-1 win, aided by a red card to Hougang's Justin Hui, which preceded the Stags' four second-half goals.
Since then, however, the two teams have had contrasting fortunes in the SPL.
Hougang have won five of their seven games and currently sit second. Tampines, meanwhile, have not won any of their last four league matches and are fourth in the nine-team SPL.
As the teams prepare to meet again on Sunday (May 5) at Our Tampines Hub, Hougang are eager to prove that the first result between the two sides this season was one off.
"We all know Tampines are a good team, there's no denying that," said star attacker Faris Ramli, who has scored six SPL goals this season.
"But we all know the 5-1 scoreline did not reflect the game. We suffered a red card at 1-0 down and they made use of the extra player to score more.
Â
Â
"The fact we managed to equalise (to 1-1) with 10 men shows we have the quality to match them."
Tampines coach Gavin Lee was also keen to downplay the thrashing earlier this term.
"In terms of whether the scoreline reflected the quality of both teams, I think it didn't," said Lee.
"Both sides have good sets of players, but on that day and in that game, we were the better team and they didn't perform, and when those two factors come together, that (big win) can happen.
"Are we expecting a similar scoreline on Sunday? No. They'll definitely be fired up to prove the previous result was a fluke."
On Tampines' recent struggles in the league, Lee said the team's exertions in the AFC Cup - games usually take place in mid-week - have affected their consistency. Most recently, the Stags needed a last-minute goal to beat Myanmarese champions Yangon United, at Jalan Besar on Wednesday (May 1).
The 28-year-old acknowledged that the continental competition is "not easy physically" on his players as the matches are played at "an international tempo".
Lee added: "We've spoken about it as a team and we know it's part of the privilege of playing in a continental tournament... Whether (fatigue) will play a big part on Sunday, I don't know.
"But we've done our usual recovery protocols and hope the players are fresh, and physically and tactically ready."
Despite their good run of form, Hougang are looking to avoid a second loss on the trot, following their gutwrenching 3-2 defeat in injury time to league leaders Brunei DPMM last Sunday. The Cheetahs had led 2-1, and a win would have taken them top of the SPL.
"The loss was a hard pill to swallow, but we've addressed it as a team and we are in better spirits now," said Faris.
"This season, we have shown we have the mental strength to bounce back from our two (previous) losses by winning the next game both times, and we will have to do it again.
"We have shown we are capable of competing at the top of the SPL, so this is a game we definitely want to take three points from."
Ikhsan Fandi scored a winning overhead kick in the last minute of play to secure a 3-2 win for his team, Raufoss IL, on Sunday night, May 12, in Oslo, Norway. Five Raufoss IL players crammed into
Ikhsan Fandi - Player Profile 2019 | Transfermarkt
Jun 01, 2018 · Mauricio Pochettino 'happy' at Spurs but keeps Real Madrid door open "I'm working very comfortably at Tottenham and it's my obligation to focus on that. Tottenham insist there is
Pochettino happy at Spurs but would 'have to listen' to any
La Liga's all-time top goalscorer is Argentine Lionel Messi, who also holds the record for most goals scored in a season with 50 goals in 2011-12. Barcelona's Lionel Messi and Athletic Bilbao's Telmo Zarra, who was the competition's all-time top scorer until 2014, are the only players ever to win the top scorer's award in six seasons.
Messi finishes season leading La Liga in goals, assists, and
SINGAPORE - In the space of nine months, five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo could be set for his third reunion with his former club Manchester United.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
Cristiano Ronaldo to face Man Utd this summer as Juventus
Soccer: PSG's Cavani doubtful for Man United game. 1 Min Read. Soccer Football - Ligue 1 - Paris St Germain v Bordeaux - Parc des Princes, Paris, France - February 9, 2019 Paris St Germain's
PSG star Edinson Cavani doubtful for Manchester United clash
Former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jermaine Jenas has suggested Hugo Lloris should be dropped for Paulo Gazzaniga against Crystal Palace on Wednesday. Lloris made a costly mistake in the 90th minute against Liverpool on Sunday, resulting in a Toby Alderweireld own goal and consigning Spurs to their fourth defeat in five Premier League outings.
Pundit says Spurs must consider dropping star after Liverpool
Football: World Cup winner Buffon to leave Paris Saint
Brewers aim to keep momentum going vs. Pirates. The Milwaukee Brewers don't need Christian Yelich to hit homers to win. After all, Yelich didn't add to his total of
Brewers aim to keep momentum going vs. Pirates - msn.com
New favourites face two stiff tests The challenge is different for Liverpool. A weight of expectation invariably surrounds a club of their size and history, but now the equation has changed.
Ballon d'Or: Lionel Messi, Virgil van Dijk, analysis, odds
SAO PAULO (REUTERS) - Brazilian soccer great Pele had a successful operation to remove a kidney stone on Saturday (April 13), doctors in Sao Paulo said. Football: Pele recovering well after
Pele recovering well after kidney stone operation - Football
Football: Kedah-bound national defender Shakir Hamzah enjoying a new lease of life. Dec 24, 2018, 12:14 am. premium. Football: Shakir Hamzah gets one-year offer from former Malaysia Cup champions
Kedah News, Scores, Schedule, Stats, Teamsheet - soccer - MSN
Chhetri rues missed chances in game of 'small margins' Safuwan scores to salvage Singapore draw in Hong Kong friendly . Singapore geared up for Tuesday's all-important AFC Asian Cup qualifier
Singapore prepare in Doha desert heat for crucial Asian Cup
0 comments:
Post a Comment