SINGAPORE - It may be still early days in the 2019 Singapore Premier League (SPL) season, but a marker could be laid down in the clash of title contenders Tampines Rovers and last year's unbeaten champions Albirex Niigata at Our Tampines Hub on Friday (March 29).
In a reversal of roles, it is the Stags who are marching relentlessly while the White Swans are struggling for rhythm.
League leaders Tampines, on a maximum nine points after three games, can open up an 11-point gap over Albirex, who have one point from two games.
Second-placed Brunei DPMM FC, on seven points from three games, are not in action until they play the Stags on April 7.
But Tampines' head coach-in-waiting Gavin Lee does not think this Irrepressibles versus Invincibles fixture will have a huge bearing on the title race.
He said: "This is just the fourth game for us and the third for Albirex. There are 20 more games to go and anything can happen. This season is going to be a close race."
Under the former Warriors FC assistant coach, the Stags have won their first three games through their brand of high pressing and passing football, scoring a league high 11 goals and conceding twice.
Â
Â
Â
In stark contrast, Albirex, champions for the past three seasons, have yet to bulge the net in the SPL this year.
The Japanese club's coach Keiji Shigetomi feels that "every game is important", but his focus is on drilling his players to find the target.
He said: "We didn't have the ability to score. That is why we did more attack training last week."
Lee is not taking anything for granted and he believes the White Swans are more dangerous when wounded.
He said: "Knowing the Japanese, they will work extremely hard to correct something if they didn't get it right the first time."
The Stags' early-season form had also earned left-back Irwan Shah and centre-back Amirul Adli national recalls six and four years respectively after their last international appearances.
The duo started in Singapore's two matches against Malaysia and Oman in the AirMarine Cup last week and Lee is looking for more from the rejuvenated duo.
He said: "I'm very happy and proud of them (Irwan and Amirul)... and there's going to a lot more coming from them as they will be motivated to get called up more often."
Other SPL fixtures
Saturday
Warriors FC v Home United (Jurong East Stadium, 5.30pm)
Sunday
Young Lions v Hougang United (Jalan Besar Stadium, 5.30pm)
Balestier Khalsa v Geylang International (Bishan Stadium, 5.30pm)
Cardiff not intending to pay Sala fee Football's governing body said in a statement to the BBC: "Proceedings are currently ongoing and therefore please understand
The Cardiff City Emiliano Sala contract dispute explained
Speaking after the Barca defeat Pogba said: "We know where we can hurt them". It's a tough one - we'll go there with the knowledge we can score over there," Solskjaer told BT Sport.
'If PSG can score four, we can score six,' says Barcelona's
Liverpool will be without forwards Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino when they face Barcelona in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final as they look to overturn a 3-0 deficit, manager
Liverpool's Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino ruled out of Barcelona
Football: Liverpool's players must fight for the Premier
Mourinho leaves United after two and a half years in charge and we are now looking at the highs of his Old Trafford tenure. Mourinho guided Manchester United to Community Shield success against
Jose Mourinho's record with Manchester United
The clock is ticking. The homeowners that live near the course were opposed to Visions Golf LLC's plan for the city to rezone the land for the construction of
Clock ticking for city to close $17.2M gap - Lowell Sun Online
"We came in on the back of the European Championships, they have had a change of coach, they have had a lot of difficulties to deal with through the campaign, but now we are there and we look to
Arsenal v Man City Review - Spirited Gunners still have a lot
Karim Benzema shot Real Madrid to within two points of La Liga leaders Barcelona with the winner in a scrappy 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano, while countryman Antoine Griezmann fired a brace in a 3-2 win over Real Valladolid to take Atletico Madrid level with Barca.
Football Real Madrid, Atletico close in on Barcelona - Pulse
Axed Mourinho heading back to Real Madrid - Calderon Having departed Chelsea, Jose Mourinho is now set to head back to Real Madrid, the club's ex-president Ramon Calderon has said.
Is Jose Mourinho Heading Back To Madrid? - La Liga Tickets Online
Winks: Spurs players "fuming" at Wolves loss but denies "Spursy" tag Spurs players "fuming" at Wolves loss but denies "Spursy everyone is fuming. "Listen, when people say
Latest TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR | The Straits Times
Let alone after playing the Citizens in that Wednesday clash. Spurs sit third in the league and are on course to qualify for the Champions League, while City can put all their energy into the
'A tragic case': Grandparents clash in fight over Andreen
Bilbao (Spain) (AFP) - Lionel Messi was short of fitness and Barcelona lacked spark as a goalless draw away to Athletic Bilbao on Sunday offered fresh hope to their rivals in the title race. A thigh injury had limited Messi to 27 minutes against Real Madrid on Wednesday and while he played the full match at San Mames, Barca's assistant
Barca give fresh hope to La Liga rivals after Bilbao stalemate
A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on January 16, 2019, with the headline 'City will pounce if Liverpool slip up: Guardiola'. Print Edition | Subscribe
City will pounce if Liverpool slip up: Guardiola
Holders Real Madrid were sensationally knocked out of the Champions League on Tuesday after being thrashed 4-1 at home by an outstanding Ajax Amsterdam who overturned a first-leg deficit to reach
Shellshocked Madrid knocked out of Champions League by
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen