Albirex beat Hougang Utd 3 nil comfortably last night to regain the Community Shield after a 5-year gap.
A brand new White Swans team with 9 Japanese debutants was slow out of the blocks in the first half, probably due to match nervousness or unfamiliarity with their new team mates.
Thus, Hougang had the better chances in the first half but did not trouble Albirex's goalkeeper, Hassan Sunny.
【#18 Hassan Sunny】
Hougang had 2 penalty appeals but after VAR review, referee Jansen Foo did not award either.
The first half ended scoreless.
Yoshinaga brought on substitute striker Riku Fukashiro on the 50th minute, after Nicky Melvin Singh got himself a needless yellow card.
Fukashiro made an immediate impact as his direct runs and dribbling started to cause panic in the Hougang defence.
In the 57th minute, a clash of heads between Fukashiro and Hougang centreback seemed innocuous. However, VAR prompted Jansen to review the clash at the pitch monitor. After some deliberation, Jansen pointed to the penalty spot to loud cheers from the Albirex supporters.
Attacking midfielder, Seia Kunori, made no mistake from the spot to give the White Swans the lead at 1 nil.
In the 69th minute, midfielder Kaisei Ogawa curled his shot towards the far right post which was parried by Hougang's keeper, Zaiful Nizam. Right winger, Shodai Yokoyama, headed in the rebound but the assistant referee raised his flag for offside.
With VAR in place, the goal was put up for review immediately. After a couple of minutes, Jansen pointed to the centre circle, and Albirex extended the lead to 2 nil.
5 minutes later, Fukashiro put the final dagger to the heart of the Hougang's defence when his shot at the edge of the box crept into the net. 3 nil to the White Swans at the 74th minute.
Hougang tried hard to find a goal back but Hassan Sunny and his defence held firm.
The final score was 3 nil and the White Swans won its first trophy in 2023.
The season proper will kick off on 25 Feb, Saturday, 6pm when Albirex take on Young Lions at Jurong East Stadium.
Details of the Match
A brand new White Swans team with 9 Japanese debutants was slow out of the blocks in the first half, probably due to match nervousness or unfamiliarity with their new team mates.
Thus, Hougang had the better chances in the first half but did not trouble Albirex's goalkeeper, Hassan Sunny.
【#18 Hassan Sunny】
Hougang had 2 penalty appeals but after VAR review, referee Jansen Foo did not award either.
The first half ended scoreless.
Yoshinaga brought on substitute striker Riku Fukashiro on the 50th minute, after Nicky Melvin Singh got himself a needless yellow card.
Fukashiro made an immediate impact as his direct runs and dribbling started to cause panic in the Hougang defence.
In the 57th minute, a clash of heads between Fukashiro and Hougang centreback seemed innocuous. However, VAR prompted Jansen to review the clash at the pitch monitor. After some deliberation, Jansen pointed to the penalty spot to loud cheers from the Albirex supporters.
Attacking midfielder, Seia Kunori, made no mistake from the spot to give the White Swans the lead at 1 nil.
In the 69th minute, midfielder Kaisei Ogawa curled his shot towards the far right post which was parried by Hougang's keeper, Zaiful Nizam. Right winger, Shodai Yokoyama, headed in the rebound but the assistant referee raised his flag for offside.
With VAR in place, the goal was put up for review immediately. After a couple of minutes, Jansen pointed to the centre circle, and Albirex extended the lead to 2 nil.
5 minutes later, Fukashiro put the final dagger to the heart of the Hougang's defence when his shot at the edge of the box crept into the net. 3 nil to the White Swans at the 74th minute.
Hougang tried hard to find a goal back but Hassan Sunny and his defence held firm.
The final score was 3 nil and the White Swans won its first trophy in 2023.
The season proper will kick off on 25 Feb, Saturday, 6pm when Albirex take on Young Lions at Jurong East Stadium.
Details of the Match
