Although the Stags have already bagged the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League 2013 title weeks ago, there are still some pride left to be contended, especially for the second runner-up team, Albirex Niigata.
Albirex nearly drew the first blood in the 5th minute when Kazuya Fukuzaki (no-23) saw his shot missed Tampines Rovers’ goalmouth by inches. In fact, the swans had been playing some neat football since the moment the whistle was blown.
The Japaneses’ hardwork was finally rewarded in the 16th minute. Itsuki Yamada (no-6) received the ball just inside the penalty box. A quick turn round the Tampines Rovers’ defender and Yamada slotted the ball into the net to give Albirex the well-deserved lead!
The first half was not entirely Albirex’s show. Tampines’ Khairul Amri (no-19) and Ismadi Mukhtar (no-2) had the opportunities to level the game but they were unable to convert the chances.
To sink Tampines deeper, Albirex’s excellent build-up 9 minutes from half-time saw Kazuki Sakamoto (no-11) displayed great aerial close control and lobbed Andre Martin (no-24) from close range to increase Albirex’s lead.
Second half was not exactly a different storybook as Albirex was still on the dominating end. Substitute Takeshi Nagasawa (no-8) was extremely influential in leading the Swans’ attack. In the 60th minute, Bruno Castanheira pounded on a rebound shot from Nagasawa and fired home the third goal of the evening to make it 3-0 to Albirex!
Attempting to change the faith of Tampines’, coach Tay Peng Kee brought on veterans Aleksandar Duric (no-9) and Jamil Ali (no-17) with half an hour left. Immediately, the impact was felt. Duric chested down the long ball from deep and laid it off to the on-running Jamli. With a few faints, Jamli put the ball into the net of Albirex’s to make it 1-3 to the delights of the home ground!
That goal proved to be too late for Tampines as Albirex held on and registered a convincing victory at Jalan Besar Stadium.
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