Albirex win maiden S.League title, eye domestic clean sweep
Albirex Niigata (S) head coach Naoko Naruo being hoisted into the air by his players after they beat Hougang United to clinch their maiden S.League title. (Photo: Joelle Chan/S.League)
Heading into their S.League clash against Hougang United on Friday (14 October) night, Albirex Niigata (S) knew that all they had to do to seal the title was to win.
And the Japanese side flew out of the blocks from the first whistle, breaking the deadlock after just four minutes en route to an eventual 3-0 victory that brought them a historic first S.League crown.
It also meant that for a second season running, a foreign team had won the S.League, with Brunei DPMM emerging as champions last year. The White Swans, a satellite club of the J.League side of the same name, are the third overseas outfit to do so after now-defunct French team Etoile FC first did it in 2010.
Albirex have emerged as genuine contenders in recent times, finishing third in 2012, 2013 and last year, but could never keep up their challenge at the business end of the season.
But it was a different case this year as they swept to the title in style with two games left, racking up the most goals and conceding the least in the league so far.
Head coach Naoki Naruo could not hide his delight after leading Albirex to glory, though even he did not expect to get two goals inside the first eight minutes.
“We pressed the ball, we kept the pressure up and our attack scored three goals in the first half so it was an ideal offense from us,” he said.
“We have defended well as a team and played as a (title) challenger, that’s why we could score so many goals this season.
“The season has been long and we have had to face many (different) situations, but every player did their best and that was very important.”
Hougang stunned
Albirex's top scorer Atsushi Kawata got them off to a blinder, deftly lobbing a long punt over goalkeeper Khairulhin Khalid in the fourth minute for his 13th goal of the season. Masaya Jitozono made it 2-0 with a 22-yard free-kick that took a deflection on its way past a rooted Khairulhin, before Kawata set up Rui Kumada to rifle home from 10 yards to extend the lead further on 32 minutes.
Hougang boss K. Balagumaran admitted that his side were shell-shocked by the way Albirex, who normally start games in a slower manner, poured forward from the get-go.
“I didn’t expect Albirex to change their game plan,” he said. “Our game plan was to press them high and not let them play their usual game… The first two goals, that killed us (and then at) three goals down, the players weren’t organised and it was a bit tough to come back in the second half.”
Despite the match being halted for around 45 minutes due to lightning at around 52 minutes, the mood was not dampened for Albirex as they saw out the rest of the game without much fuss.
The side could yet sweep every domestic trophy available, having already won the League Cup this season. Albirex will face Tampines Rovers in the Singapore Cup final on 29 October and will become the first S.League club ever to win the Treble if they emerge triumphant.
