SINGAPORE - Birthday boy Kyoga Nakamura was the toast of Albirex Niigata, as the White Swans thrashed Home United 4-0 in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) at the Jurong East Stadium on Saturday (April 27).
Home had no answer for the former Japan Under-17 midfielder, who turned 23 on Friday (April 25) and scored a brace on Saturday, with all four goals coming in the first half.
White Swans coach Keiji Shigetomi praised his No.10, saying: "He can score, dictate the game, and help in our build-up play.
"As captain, his presence in the team is very important, especially in attack."
Nakamura models his game after Manchester City playmaker David Silva and former Barcelona schemer Andres Iniesta, and plays in a similar role to the two, drifting between midfield and attack.
And just as the two Spanish maestros often do, Nakamura provided the cutting edge in the final third for his side, which ultimately decided the outcome of a match that was otherwise fairly even.
With just over a minute into the match, Nakamura's tricky feet fooled Home defender Faizal Roslan into tripping him inside the penalty area. He dusted himself off to fire past goalkeeper Nazri Sabri and put his side in front.
Daizo Horikoshi then stole in at the near post to put Albirex 2-0 up in the 21st minute, before he turned providerin the 39th minute, when his shot was parried into the path of Daniel Martens, giving the 20-year-old Singaporean an easy tap-in for his first SPL goal for the Japanese side.
With six minutes added to the first half - during which referee Edwin Lee fell and injured his arm - Nakamura then grabbed his second and Albirex's fourth, winning the ball in midfield and jinking past Faizal before firing a shot from distance that went in off the post.
"After we got the penalty and goal in the first minute, Home had to attack and left gaps behind for us to exploit," said Shigetomi.
Home saw most of the ball in the second half but could not conjure a clear scoring opportunity. The closest they came to pulling a goal back was through substitute Hafiz Nor's shot from distance, which Albirex goalkeeper Kengo Fukudome tipped wide despite being out of position.
Home interim coach Noh Rahman said Nakamura was one of Albirex's players he had singled out before the game as a danger man, but also described the goals his side conceded as "giveaways".
Albirex Niigata players celebrating Kyoga Nakamura's birthday after the match. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
The Protectors have no time to sulk over the defeat, though. They leave for Indonesia on Sunday morning for an AFC Cup game against PSM Makassar on Tuesday, before returning to Singapore and then flying off again to Brunei to take on league leaders Brunei DPMM next Saturday.
"We need to review today's game and look at the areas we can improve, but as you know we don't have much time," said Noh, who added it was frustrating to watch his side dominate possession but not score.
"We're travelling tomorrow for a different competition which is equally important, and it is a question of character now for the players.
"Today is obviously not a good result for our boys but we are looking for them to bounce back from this."
Ali on target as Qatar stun Japan to win first Asian Cup By Nick Mulvenney Soccer Football - AFC Asian Cup - Final - Japan v Qatar - Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - February 1, 2019 Qatars Akram Afif celebrates scoring their third goal with Assim Madebo and team mates
Qatar stun Japan with 3-1 win to be crowned Asian Cup
Guardiola trusts Man City to resolve FFP allegations (Reuters) - The Premier League said on Friday it had opened an investigation into alleged Financial Fair Play (FFP) breaches by champions Manchester City after UEFA had begun its own probe into the allegations.
Pep Guardiola trusts Manchester City to resolve Financial
Spurs boss Pochettino charged by FA with improper conduct Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino was Monday charged with improper conduct by the Football Association following his side's defeat
Spurs boss Pochettino charged by FA with improper conduct
Arsenal beaten by BATE as Lacazette sent off Arsenal face an uphill battle to progress in the Europa League after a 1-0 defeat by BATE Borisov in the last-32 first leg which saw Alexandre Lacazette sent off on Thursday.
Arsenal beaten by BATE as Lacazette sent off - guardian.ng
Klopp hails 'best night' of his life after ending final hex the UEFA Champions League final football match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid
Football: Klopp hails 'best night' of his life after ending
Barcelona Give Fresh Hope To La Liga Rivals After Bilbao Stalemate Updated: 11 February 2019 08:53 IST The draw makes it three games without a win for Barcelona.
Barcelona give fresh hope to La Liga rivals after Bilbao
Gareth Bale is still "100 per cent" committed to Real Madrid despite speculation over his future, the Wales star's agent insisted on Monday. Former Tottenham winger Bale has been linked with a
Bale is 100 per cent committed to Real Madrid, says Welshman
Read more about 'Victory and goal for Sala', says Cardiff captain Bamba on Business Standard. Cardiff City captain Sol Bamba dedicated his goal and a 2-1 victory over Southampton to Emiliano Sala after an emotional match for the Welsh club.Saturday's fixtures were the first round of Premier League games since the player's death was
'Victory and goal for Sala', says Cardiff captain Bamba | AFP.com
Kane 'proud' of England response to race jibes Sport > Football > Racism > Kane 'proud' of England response to race jibes By 24matins.uk with AFP, published 28 March 2019 at 15h53 BST , updated on 28 March 2019 at 15h54 BST .
Kane 'proud' of England response to race jibes - World Soccer
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/03/28/kane-proud-of-england-response-to-race-jibes/
Kane 'proud' of England response to race jibes AFP March 28, 2019 AFP No Comments London (AFP) - Harry Kane spoke Thursday of his pride at how his teammates dealt with being racially abused in Montenegro as he collected an award for "services to football" after leading England to the World Cup semi-finals.
Kane 'proud' of England response to race jibes | Sport24
Valencia stroll into Europa semis with Villarreal win 19/04/2019 Oman Observer VALENCIA: Valencia eased into the Europa League semifinals for the first time in five years with a comfortable 2-0 win at home to fellow Spaniards Villarreal in heavy rain on Thursday for a resounding 5-1 aggregate scoreline.
Valencia vs. Villarreal - Football Match Report - April 19
tv5.espn.com/football/report?gameId=538709
Valencia eased into the semifinals of the Europa League for the first time in five years with a comfortable 2-0 win at home to fellow Spanish side Villarreal in heavy rain on Thursday for a resounding 5-1 aggregate scoreline.
Valencia stroll into Europa semis with Villarreal win - Reuters
Soccer Football - Women's World Cup - Group A - Norway v Nigeria - Stade Auguste-Delaune, Reims, France - June 8, 2019 Norway's Guro Reiten REIMS, France (Reuters) - Ada Hegerberg was not needed as Norway kicked off their women's World Cup Group A campaign with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Nigeria on Saturday.
Dec 22 (Reuters) - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer enjoyed a dream start as Manchester United's interim manager as his side thrashed his former club Cardiff City 5-1 in the Premier League on Saturday
Solskjaer makes dream start as Man Utd thrash Cardiff
Ruben Neves stunner from 25-yards hands Jurgen Klopp's side an early FA Cup exit. Reds' hopes of a treble are over after the Portuguese ace unleashed a trademark strike from distance.
Why Jurgen Klopp has no option but to risk another early FA
0 comments:
Post a Comment