After nine long months of the season, Tampines Rovers has won the S.League for the third consecutive time, following back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012. They won the title after fellow title challengers, Albirex Niigata, lost 1-2 at home to Balestier Khalsa on 20th October 2013. Going into today’s match at home to Tanjong Pagar United, Tampines underline their superiority by leading the table by 10 points with 3 games left to play, ahead of second-placed Home United FC. Earlier this evening, Tampines Rovers were crowned S.League Champions 2013 in front of their own fans, following a 1-1 draw with Tanjong Pagar United at the Clementi Stadium.
This S.League title win brings a symmetrical trophy-winning end to the season for Tampines, who began the season by winning the Great Eastern Charity Shield after defeating Warriors FC 2-1. Over the course of the season, Tampines Rovers’ excellent season record now reads: 16 Wins (the highest tally in the league), 5 draws and 4 losses (the fewest in the league). Fired by S.League joint-leading-scorer Aleksandar Duric’s 13 goals, Tampines also emerged as the highest-scoring team in the league, with a whopping 52 goals, well ahead of the next-highest scoring team, Woodlands Wellington, who have scored 42 goals to date.
Tampines coach Tay Peng Kee was understandably delighted with the title win – his second as Tampines’ caretaker coach – and the club’s overall fifth league title win. He said: “It has been a long, hard season for the team, and I am delighted that our consistency and team work has paid off with this league title. This win is not just for the players, but also for everyone associated with Tampines Rovers like our Tampines Rovers fans and also team officials and management especially Mr Teo Hock Seng, our chairman who has contributed immensely to the club. I am delighted that all our combined efforts have led to this title win after a difficult season with many strong S.League teams, which made this win even more satisfying. I also want to commend on the new two and a half round format which made the league more competitive and motivated the team to give their best in every game.”
Said CEO S.League Mr Lim Chin: “S.League congratulates Tampines Rovers Football Club for winning the 2013 Great Eastern-Yeo’s S.League Championship. This is the third triumph in as many years, a hat-trick and it is indeed an outstanding achievement. I also like to thank and congratulate Mr Teo Hock Seng, Chairman Of Tampines Rovers Football Club for his support and steering the club to another successful season. Well done Stags and best wishes for the new season.”
(Photo: FAS)
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