SINGAPORE - What a difference two months can make. On March 3, Tampines Rovers and Hougang United lined up in a lip-smacking opener to the Singapore Premier League (SPL) season, touted as a clash between potential title rivals.
Tampines trotted off the pitch at the Jalan Besar Stadium with a handsome 5-1 win, aided by a red card to Hougang's Justin Hui, which preceded the Stags' four second-half goals.
Since then, however, the two teams have had contrasting fortunes in the SPL.
Hougang have won five of their seven games and currently sit second. Tampines, meanwhile, have not won any of their last four league matches and are fourth in the nine-team SPL.
As the teams prepare to meet again on Sunday (May 5) at Our Tampines Hub, Hougang are eager to prove that the first result between the two sides this season was one off.
"We all know Tampines are a good team, there's no denying that," said star attacker Faris Ramli, who has scored six SPL goals this season.
"But we all know the 5-1 scoreline did not reflect the game. We suffered a red card at 1-0 down and they made use of the extra player to score more.
Â
Â
"The fact we managed to equalise (to 1-1) with 10 men shows we have the quality to match them."
Tampines coach Gavin Lee was also keen to downplay the thrashing earlier this term.
"In terms of whether the scoreline reflected the quality of both teams, I think it didn't," said Lee.
"Both sides have good sets of players, but on that day and in that game, we were the better team and they didn't perform, and when those two factors come together, that (big win) can happen.
"Are we expecting a similar scoreline on Sunday? No. They'll definitely be fired up to prove the previous result was a fluke."
On Tampines' recent struggles in the league, Lee said the team's exertions in the AFC Cup - games usually take place in mid-week - have affected their consistency. Most recently, the Stags needed a last-minute goal to beat Myanmarese champions Yangon United, at Jalan Besar on Wednesday (May 1).
The 28-year-old acknowledged that the continental competition is "not easy physically" on his players as the matches are played at "an international tempo".
Lee added: "We've spoken about it as a team and we know it's part of the privilege of playing in a continental tournament... Whether (fatigue) will play a big part on Sunday, I don't know.
"But we've done our usual recovery protocols and hope the players are fresh, and physically and tactically ready."
Despite their good run of form, Hougang are looking to avoid a second loss on the trot, following their gutwrenching 3-2 defeat in injury time to league leaders Brunei DPMM last Sunday. The Cheetahs had led 2-1, and a win would have taken them top of the SPL.
"The loss was a hard pill to swallow, but we've addressed it as a team and we are in better spirits now," said Faris.
"This season, we have shown we have the mental strength to bounce back from our two (previous) losses by winning the next game both times, and we will have to do it again.
"We have shown we are capable of competing at the top of the SPL, so this is a game we definitely want to take three points from."
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino feels his two-match touchline ban for confronting referee Mike Dean is "completely unfair".
Ban completely unfair: Pochettino - theworldnews.net
Manchester City were shocked 3-2 by Crystal Palace at home on Saturday, suffering their second defeat in three Premier League matches to lose ground on Liverpool in the title race.
Manchester City suffer shock 3-2 Premier League defeat by
LONDON, Feb 18 (Reuters) - Manchester United's Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba struck first-half goals to claim a 2-0 win that dumped FA Cup holders Chelsea out of the competition and secured a place
United dump holders Chelsea out of FA Cup to pile pressure on
Spurs fans have unfortunately become accustomed to the side lacking the drive, desire and mental toughness to see jobs out in the past, but the fact that we shrugged off going a goal behind on Saturday to continue to dominate the game and eventually win it is a testament in itself.
20 Genius Ways to Suppress Hunger Without Food - Focus Fitness
In France, there will arguably be no bigger star on show than Marta. The Brazilian is widely regarded as one of the greatest of all time, and she still knows how to strike fear into the hearts of
The Standard - Kenya: CS Amina Mohamed surprises Harambee
Sanchez: Spurs squad can cope without Kane and Alli Injuries to Harry Kane and Dele Alli will not derail Tottenham's Premier League title challenge, insists Davinson Sanchez.
Sanchez: Spurs squad can cope without Kane and Alli
MADRID (REUTERS) - Valencia secured Champions League football for the second year in a row by winning 2-0 at Real Valladolid on Saturday, clinching fourth place in La Liga at the expense of Getafe
Valencia clinch Champions League spot, Getafe in Europa
Ronaldo returns as Real Madrid fall to Betis; Correa, Carrasco lift Atletico. Atletico Madrid extended their unbeaten league start to five matches with a 2-1 win at Athletic Bilbao. Atletico
Atletico Madrid Grab Late Win Over Eibar - beinsports.com
Manchester City appeal against potential FFP Champions League ban "The Court of Arbitration for Sport has registered an appeal filed by Manchester City Football Club against the Union of
Man City appeal possible Champions League ban * 10z Soccer
Wolverhampton Wanderers reached the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1998 by beating last year's runners-up Manchester United 2-1 with a clinical second-half display in an intense
Jimenez, Jota slay United as Wolves reach FA Cup semis
Per an official press release, Bayern Munich has announced a brand new youth partnership with the Singapore Sports Council in Singapore.The new partnership will include the international youth tournament series "FC Bayern Youth Cup" along with exchange and education programs for Bayern's youth coaches.
Bayern Munich's SportSG tie-up boosts Singapore player
If you're new, Subscribe! →
LONDON • British crash investigators are two days into an underwater operation to recover a body from the wreckage of the plane carrying Argentinian striker Emiliano Sala in the English Channel..
UK rescuers launch bid to recover body from Sala's plane
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen