Last evening, Jalan Besar Stadium welcomed Singapore’s first competitive game in 2013 where Tampines Rovers edged Warriors FC to clinch the first silverware, Great Eastern Charity Shield 2013!
Right from the start, Tampines Rovers looked to be the slightly stronger side terrorizing Warriors’ defence in every attack launched. Defender Kunihiro Yamashita (no.6) from the Yellows drew the first blood by rising the highest to head in the first goal from the corner in the 8th minute. Confidence grew after the first celebration. Tampines took advantage of a quick counter attack down the right flank, former Lions XII’s Shadan Sulaiman (no.8) provided a pin-point low cross into the running path of Khairul Amri (no.19) to slide in the second goal of the evening four minutes later! For a moment, it really looked like the winner has already been determined.
Although Warriors’ Sufian Anuar (no.10) reduced the deficit by scoring in the 55th minute, they were not able to penetrate Tampines’ stubborn defence any further to stage another famous comeback. Eventually, Nenad Bacina’s boys had the first silverware in this new great season.
Result aside, the football displayed last evening was encouraging and exciting. Hey, we are taking about two of the best teams in S.League here! Quick one-touch and strong possession team play impressed me that our league has improved to be honest. With great respect to Warriors FC, they seems to be under lots of pressure to perform. Both marquee players, Martin Wagner (no.20) from Tampines and Kazuyuki Toda (no.4) from Warriors had a respectable decent game. I saw a professional and humble Martin Wagner being brought down to the ground from a tackle, he stood up and continued his newly-adapted Singaporean style football. On the other side of the pitch, I saw a hardworking Kazuyuki Toda running all over the park to cover the defence and assisting with the attacks. The effort of braving the heavy rain to catch the first competitive Singapore football game last evening was really worth it.
Another encouraging sight was the return of an official S.League merchandise store at the stadium. Well, local brands Waga jerseys (Woodlands Wellington & Hougang United) selling at $45, Mikasa (Tampines Rovers) at $60, Japanese’s Gol (Albirex Niigata) and Svolme (Warriors FC) at $98 and $128 respectively… for a moment, I thought I was still doing football shopping in Japan ya.
Photo: Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League FB
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