Singapore Premier League: Albirex Niigata take decisive step towards retaining title
They beat nearest rivals Tampines 6-3 in rip-roaring thriller to open five-point gap with four games left to play
SINGAPORE — Defending champions Albirex Niigata (Singapore) took a massive step towards retaining their Singapore Premier League title, after beating closest rivals Tampines Rovers 6-3 at Jurong East Stadium on Friday (28 July).
The top-of-the-table clash was a rip-roaring affair, with early goals, comebacks, late goals and a missed penalty. In the end, Albirex extended their lead atop the SPL table to three points with four matches to go, with a game in hand over Tampines.
It is testament to Albirex's consistency that they are able to withstand spirited title challenges from Tampines and Lion City Sailors this season, and remain on track for their sixth SPL title in eight years.
They seized the initiative right away from the opening whistle, with in-form forward Seia Kunori grabbing two goals inside five minutes. The first came after just 10 seconds, after Tadanari Lee dispossessed Shah Shahiran and laid the ball for an unmarked Kunori to slam home.
The second came in the fourth minute, and it was a glorious volley by Kunori that looped over Ridhuan Bahrudin into goal. He could have made it a hat-trick of goals in the eighth minute, but his penalty attempt was pushed away by Ridhuan.
Tampines clawed a goal back in the 19th minute through a penalty by captain Yasir Hanapi, and Ryaan Sanizal made it 2-2 seven minutes later, heading in a cross from Glenn Kweh.
However, Albirex regained the lead just three minutes, when Lee tapped in from close range. They made it 4-2 in the 34th minute, when Shunsaku Kishimoto headed in from a corner.
The breathless football continued in the second half, as Tampines tried to mount another comeback. Faris Ramli narrowed the deficit in the 69th minute, heading in a cross from Kyoga Nakamura.
But Albirex ended the Stags' comeback attempt with two goals in two minutes from Ryo Takahashi (82nd minute) and Keito Komatsu (83rd) to seal the priceless victory.
Sailors jump to second place with 5-2 win
The Lion City Sailors seized their opportunity to leapfrog Tampines into second place with a 5-2 win over 10-man Balestier Khalsa at Bishan Stadium on Monday (31 July).
The Tigers' former national defender Madhu Mohana was given a straight red card in the ninth minute, and there was a missed penalty for each side, before the Sailors opened the floodgates, scoring through Richairo Zivkovic (24th), Lionel Tan (36th), Bailey Wright (47th, 74th) and Shawal Anuar (61st).
Balestier scored through Ryoya Taniguchi (27th) and Shuhei Hoshino (60th).
The Sailors have 45 points from 21 games, five points behind Albirex and having played a game more than the leaders. Tampines lie a further point behind the Sailors.
On Friday at Jalan Besar Stadium, Geylang International defeated Brunei's DPMM FC 2-1 to consolidate their fifth position in the league table.
Goals from Gareth Low (20th) and Naufal Azman (48th) set the Eagles on their way to victory, with DPMM grabbing a consolation goal in the 84th minute through Hakeme Yazid.
Hougang United stayed in sixth spot after thrashing bottom-placed Young Lions 6-2 at Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday.
Dorde Maksimovic (9th, 67th), Kristijan Krajcek (41st, 92nd), Gabriel Quak (52nd) and Kazuma Takayama (64th) got onto the scoresheet for the Cheetahs, while the Young Lions replied through Harhys Stewart (47th) and Jun Kobayashi (94th).
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