Attacking midfielder Seia Kunori scored a goal each in the 3rd minute of additional time of each half to give the White Swans a 2 nil victory over the Cheetahs.
Albirex has already beaten Hougang 3 nil in the Community Shield last month. Hougang provided a sterner test in the first half as they restricted Albirex to only half chances. The tactics were pretty obvious as to the stopping of the White Swan's passing game, while attempting to get free kicks in dangerous areas. Forwards Sahil Suhaimi and Brian Perreira were falling and crying foul at every contact from the Albirex players.
One of such contacts did send the referee to the VAR monitor in the 20th minute when Perreira held his head in agony on the floor. Referee Taufik Thana took his time to deliberate and finally made the decision that the elbow from Kunori was accidental. He awarded only a yellow card to Kunori to the White Swan's relief.
Kunori went on to become the hero of the match by scoring the 2 goals to win the game. The first came in the 3rd minute of additional time in the first half. Right back, Ryo Takahashi continued his good form from the last game, and his whipping cross found the head of left back Sho Fuwa. Hougang keeper Zaiful Nizam could only parry Fuwa's header and Kunori gleefully tapped in the rebound.
【#10 Seia Kunori】
The referee blew the whistle for half time immediately at the restart.
Albirex dominated the second half as they tried to look for the second goal. However, not many clear cut chances were created as the Hougang defenders cut off the dangers easily.
With time running out, Hougang players poured forward in the last 10 minutes to seek the equaliser. It was left to Kunori to exploit the gaps, amazingly, in the 3rd minute of additional time again. Substitutes Keito Hariya and Keito Komatsu combined to set Kunori free in a counter attack. Kunori unleashed a powerful shot into the bottom right corner to put the result to bed. Referee Thana blew for final whistle not long after the restart.
【Left: #9 Riku Fukashiro Centre: #10 Seia Kunori Right: #3 Keito Hariya】
The 2 nil victory preserved the White Swan's perfect record in the league with 3 wins out of 3, 9 goals scored and zero conceded.
Tougher test lies ahead this Sunday, 19 March, when table topper Tampines Rovers come visiting. Kickoff is 6pm at Jurong East Stadium.
Match Detail
Albirex has already beaten Hougang 3 nil in the Community Shield last month. Hougang provided a sterner test in the first half as they restricted Albirex to only half chances. The tactics were pretty obvious as to the stopping of the White Swan's passing game, while attempting to get free kicks in dangerous areas. Forwards Sahil Suhaimi and Brian Perreira were falling and crying foul at every contact from the Albirex players.
One of such contacts did send the referee to the VAR monitor in the 20th minute when Perreira held his head in agony on the floor. Referee Taufik Thana took his time to deliberate and finally made the decision that the elbow from Kunori was accidental. He awarded only a yellow card to Kunori to the White Swan's relief.
Kunori went on to become the hero of the match by scoring the 2 goals to win the game. The first came in the 3rd minute of additional time in the first half. Right back, Ryo Takahashi continued his good form from the last game, and his whipping cross found the head of left back Sho Fuwa. Hougang keeper Zaiful Nizam could only parry Fuwa's header and Kunori gleefully tapped in the rebound.
【#10 Seia Kunori】
The referee blew the whistle for half time immediately at the restart.
Albirex dominated the second half as they tried to look for the second goal. However, not many clear cut chances were created as the Hougang defenders cut off the dangers easily.
With time running out, Hougang players poured forward in the last 10 minutes to seek the equaliser. It was left to Kunori to exploit the gaps, amazingly, in the 3rd minute of additional time again. Substitutes Keito Hariya and Keito Komatsu combined to set Kunori free in a counter attack. Kunori unleashed a powerful shot into the bottom right corner to put the result to bed. Referee Thana blew for final whistle not long after the restart.
【Left: #9 Riku Fukashiro Centre: #10 Seia Kunori Right: #3 Keito Hariya】
The 2 nil victory preserved the White Swan's perfect record in the league with 3 wins out of 3, 9 goals scored and zero conceded.
Tougher test lies ahead this Sunday, 19 March, when table topper Tampines Rovers come visiting. Kickoff is 6pm at Jurong East Stadium.
Match Detail
