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.
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