Tanjong Pagar Utd hosted Albirex tonight in a Jurong East Derby. Both teams beat each other twice last season; and the high flying White Swans would certainly not take the Jaguars lightly despite the gulf in the league position.
Albirex took an early lead in the 7th minute when left back Sho Fuwa's cross reached midfielder Shodai Yokoyama who gleefully slammed in the ball.
It was thought that the White Swans would go on to score big again as they have won the previous 2 matches 1-6. However, the flood gates did not open.
Tanjong Pagar were content to park the bus and bide their time. When the White Swan attackers found an opening, they found Fashah Iskandar impenetrable although he was making his first appearance for the season.
【#8 Kaisei Ogawa】
The first half end 0-1 to Albirex.
The second half followed the story of the first as Albirex were thought to enjoy 90% of the possession. Attackers Seia Kunori, Keito Komatsu and Kaisei Ogawa had their goal bound shots thwarted by Fashah.
The Jaguars were gaining confidence from the White Swans' profligacy and started to come out from their shell in the last 5 minutes. Hopes of an upset were surely in their minds as they had scored 2 goals in injury time last season for a come-from-behind win.
However, this time, the White Swans stayed calm with veteran goalkeeper Hassan Sunny unflustered. The opening finally came in the 90th minute when a swift counter attack by substitute winger Riku Fukashiro released fellow winger Shuto Komaki. Komaki did not hesitate and swept the ball into the bottom right corner of the net.
【#7 Shuto Komaki】
The Jaguar's resistance was finally broken and the White Swans easily saw out the remaining minutes for the 3 precious points.
The victory brought the White Swans to the top of the table with 18 points from 7 games. 2nd-placed Tampines Rovers is 2 points behind although they have one game in hand.
Albirex will host DPMM Brunei FC this coming Saturday 8.30pm at Jurong East Stadium in the final game for this month.
Match Detail
Albirex took an early lead in the 7th minute when left back Sho Fuwa's cross reached midfielder Shodai Yokoyama who gleefully slammed in the ball.
It was thought that the White Swans would go on to score big again as they have won the previous 2 matches 1-6. However, the flood gates did not open.
Tanjong Pagar were content to park the bus and bide their time. When the White Swan attackers found an opening, they found Fashah Iskandar impenetrable although he was making his first appearance for the season.
【#8 Kaisei Ogawa】
The first half end 0-1 to Albirex.
The second half followed the story of the first as Albirex were thought to enjoy 90% of the possession. Attackers Seia Kunori, Keito Komatsu and Kaisei Ogawa had their goal bound shots thwarted by Fashah.
The Jaguars were gaining confidence from the White Swans' profligacy and started to come out from their shell in the last 5 minutes. Hopes of an upset were surely in their minds as they had scored 2 goals in injury time last season for a come-from-behind win.
However, this time, the White Swans stayed calm with veteran goalkeeper Hassan Sunny unflustered. The opening finally came in the 90th minute when a swift counter attack by substitute winger Riku Fukashiro released fellow winger Shuto Komaki. Komaki did not hesitate and swept the ball into the bottom right corner of the net.
【#7 Shuto Komaki】
The Jaguar's resistance was finally broken and the White Swans easily saw out the remaining minutes for the 3 precious points.
The victory brought the White Swans to the top of the table with 18 points from 7 games. 2nd-placed Tampines Rovers is 2 points behind although they have one game in hand.
Albirex will host DPMM Brunei FC this coming Saturday 8.30pm at Jurong East Stadium in the final game for this month.
Match Detail
