SINGAPORE - It was tactical cat and mouse in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) on Friday (March 29) 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.
For Tampines, chasing a first league title since 2013, it was a case of two points dropped rather than a precious point earned.
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.
With two top-billed clubs with reputations for attacking football clashing, it turned out that Albirex, who have yet to score this season, who dug in to repel waves of attacks from the Stags in yellow jerseys.
Â
Â
Lee applied pressure through his wingers - Jordan Webb and Ryutaro Megumi - using their speed and skill and even with the duo swopping flanks throughout the game, the White Swans' sea of bodies did not part.
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 could have won it but he swept the ball wide from close range.
Yet, Lee found himself literally facing a tactical dilemma - pour forward in search of the win or leave the team exposed to counter-attacks.
"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, too.
Shigetomi added: "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 on Friday 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, which all players in the amateur second-tier league have to pass before being registered to play, on their behalf on March 16.
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.
Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk has been crowned PFA Player of the Year for 2018-19, with Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling winning the Young Player of the Year award.
Virgil van Dijk and Vivianne Miedema named PFA players of the
Nazri - Racism Is The Last Refuge Of A Scoundrel. BN secretary-general Nazri Abdul Aziz said his speech, where he said a non-Muslim should not be an attorney-general, was merely a reflection of grassroots sentiment.
I believe in The Lions: Yoshida | Sportstons
sportstons.com/soccer/i-believe-in-the-lions-yoshida/
• In 2002, he signed for Jurong FC and played under V. Sundram Moorthy, then player-coach for the Cobras. • Retired in 2002 and returned to Reysol, where he rose through the ranks from youth-team coach to technical director and then the head coach. While at Reysol, he helped to produce national players like Marseille right-back Hiroki Sakai.
PDF Why Trust Is Critical to Team Success - Center for Creative
Football: Milan draw another blank in Frosinone stalemate as
Premier League: Ayoze Perez Heads Newcastle United Closer To Safety Updated: 13 April 2019 08:35 IST Newcastle moved 10 points clear of the relegation zone thanks to Ayoze Perez's first-half
Perez heads Newcastle closer to Premier League safety
Mesut Ozil made the most of being handed a rare start by Arsenal boss Unai Emery as the German masterminded a 5-1 victory over Bournemouth on Wednesday to keep the Gunners in pole position for a
Ozil leads five-star Arsenal past Bournemouth
Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Watford - London Stadium, London, Britain - December 22, 2018 Watford's Troy Deeney celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Eddie Keogh
Football: Deeney and Deulofeu seal Watford win at West Ham
Premier League: Spurs beaten for first time in new stadium; Saints stay up Soccer Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - April 27, 2019 West Ham's Michail Antonio celebrates scoring their first goal Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
Premier League: Spurs beaten for first time in new stadium
TURIN, Italy, May 3 (Reuters) - Cristiano Ronaldo headed a late equaliser to deny Torino their first win away to neighbours Juventus for 24 years as the two sides drew 1-1 in Serie A on Friday.
Late Ronaldo goal foils Torino | Reuters.com
Norwich City secured promotion to the English Premier League after a three-year absence with a 2-1 win at home to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
Football: Norwich promoted to Premier League after three-year
AC Milan's lethargy and lack of any kind of end product in front of goal continued even after Christmas as they could only manage a 0-0 draw against relegation-threatened Frosinone. Their lack of goals and the fact that even the chances have now dried up for the Diavolo is now a source of real
AC Milan stumble to goalless draw at Frosinone | 4search.com
We change lives. Our impact on the world is real, and making a positive difference is what propels us. We believe the pursuit of knowledge is a noble endeavor. And because we are passionate about humanity's progress and improving our communities — whether those communities are across the street or around the globe — we use that knowledge
Court Revives Walter Merricks' Claims against MasterCard
Football: Neymar's father says PSG extension more likely than
NextCare is a leading urgent care & walk in clinic provider. We offer general illness & injury treatment, physicals, pediatrics and more. Visit us today!
NextCar Rental - Rent a car in MD< DC, VA, MA, FL and SXM
No comments:
Post a Comment