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.
Malcom shines in absence of other Barca stars BARCELONA • Malcom has struggled for game time at Barcelona since his €42 million (S$64.6 million) move from Bordeaux last July as he finds himself behind Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Ousmane Dembele, and Philippe Coutinho in the pecking order.
Barcelona vs Real Madrid: Malcom shines in Lionel Messi's
MANCHESTER, United Kingdom (AFP) - Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola said he was not disappointed by his players' effort despite suffering a surprise 3-2 home defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday
Guardiola stays cool despite shock Man City defeat
Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha has been given a one-match ban by the Football Association for improper conduct after sarcastically applauding referee Andre Marriner. Zaha was punished following
Palace's Zaha banned for referee sarcastic clap - Pulse Nigeria
Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud said he has been approached by other clubs to play for them next season but wants to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge if manager Maurizio Sarri can offer regular
Giroud demands important role at Chelsea FC next season
Clarification of rules pertaining to electronic equipment permitted in the bench area 2015-16 and 2016-17 Basketball Rules Changes Court Safety Reminder (Posted 11/3/14)
Sport Law Chapter 9 Flashcards | Quizlet
Google bucks soaring smartphone prices with new Pixel Macron camp seeks reset after EU campaign 'false start' Naples Mayor blames gangster show Gomorrah for outbreaks of youth violence in
News From June 2017 - Business Directory - The Internet Pages
Boyle was a key for Socceroos : Arnold . Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has revealed he viewed injured winger Martin Boyle as a key part of his Asian Cup title defence. Three tactical questions for Graham Arnold ahead of Socceroos opener The Socceroos begin their Asian Cup defence against Jordan on Sunday night at 10pm.
Speed key for Socceroos to catch Chile on the hop, writes
Find West Ham Latest News, Videos & Pictures on West Ham and see latest updates, news, information from NDTV.COM. Explore more on West Ham.
Lacklustre Liverpool slip up again at West Ham - Pulse Nigeria
The Priority and Priorities of Youth Ministry The most unchurched Americans are Millennials, so it comes as no surprise that youth ministry is a priority for many churches. Six in 10 (61%) senior pastors say youth ministry is "one of the top priorities" of their church's ministry, and 7 percent say it is the single highest priority.
The No. 1 Reason Teens Keeps the Faith as Young Adults
Football: Makeshift Barca side beaten at Celta and lose Dembele to injury Celta Vigo's Sofiane Boufal (right) checks on Barcelona's injured Ousmane Dembele. PHOTO: AFP
Makeshift Barca side beaten at Celta and lose Dembele to
Winks, Lamela, Lloris - Tottenham team news ahead of new stadium opener against Crystal Palace Speaking to Sky Sports, Paul Merson believes that it is a 'must-win' game for Spurs but he thinks it will be a tough ask against the Eagles. He wrote: "It's the first game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and what a big game it is.
Tottenham Hotspur To Play Crystal Palace In First Game At New
Football: Lions will not hold back against Oman but must stay
Russell Westbrook is with the Oklahoma City Thunder for the long haul. The next 16 games could determine what kind of help he has beyond this season. The clock is ticking on this Thunder core
Clock Ticking on MTA Overtime Glut as Union Sours on Cuomo
When teenager Rayan Clarke rolled a pass off the centre spot at Tottenham Hotspur's gleaming new stadium on Sunday it kicked off a new chapter for the storied north London club.
Football: New chapter for Tottenham as stadium hosts first
0 comments:
Post a Comment