Albirex beat Tanjong Pagar Utd 4 nil in a rain-soaked evening at Jurong East Stadium tonight. The win extended the White Swans lead at the top to 3 points over 2nd placed Tampines Rovers, and with a vast superior goal difference.
18 year old goalkeeper Kai Yamamoto was a surprise starter as National Team custodian Hassan Sunny was left out due to a fever. However, Yamamoto hardly put a foot wrong in the game despite making his game debut in the first team.
#51 Kai Yamamoto
Head Coach Yoshinaga knew that the Jaguars would pack their defence and set piece would be crucial for making the breakthrough. In the 10th minute, centre back Koki Kawachi, returning to this match from a suspension, was left unmarked in the far post and had the easy task of putting the ball into the goal.
Tanjong Pagar did not yield after the initial setback and defended stoutly. Albirex finally got their 2nd goal in the 44th minute after more probing and thrusting, when centre midfielder Shodai Yokoyama powered a lovely shot into the left corner from the edge of the box. 2 nil.
Just as the spectators thought we were heading into half time with a 2 nil lead, the White Swans had other ideas. Sensing the opponents were not getting back into defensive shape from their attack, GK Yamamoto made a quick goal kick to right winger Shuto Komaki. Komaki released the ball to veteran striker Tadanari Lee who carried the ball further up the right wing and passed the ball across the face of the goal to an onrushing Seia Kunori. Without any backlift, Kunori stroked the ball into the bottom right corner. So simple, so clinical.
#10 Seia Kunori
3 nil, half time and the skies started pouring.
The referee blew for restart for the second half despite the heavy rain but he had to suspend the match after 3 minutes as the ball was not rolling properly in a waterlogged pitch. The Lightning warning system also lighted up shortly after the suspension.
Play resumed more than an hour later. With a 3 nil lead and a slippery pitch, there was no need for the White Swans to take unnecessary risks. The players were contented to move the ball around and kept their defensive shape against the Jaguar's counter attack.
Kunori finally put the icing on the cake in the 89th minute when he broke through the Jaguars defence and shot the ball into the net. Full time 4 nil.
Albirex will travel to Our Tampines Hub 3 days later on 27 Jun (Tues) to take on Tampines Rovers. It will be a much anticipated top of the table clash. Kickoff is 7.45pm
Match Detail
18 year old goalkeeper Kai Yamamoto was a surprise starter as National Team custodian Hassan Sunny was left out due to a fever. However, Yamamoto hardly put a foot wrong in the game despite making his game debut in the first team.
#51 Kai Yamamoto
Head Coach Yoshinaga knew that the Jaguars would pack their defence and set piece would be crucial for making the breakthrough. In the 10th minute, centre back Koki Kawachi, returning to this match from a suspension, was left unmarked in the far post and had the easy task of putting the ball into the goal.
Tanjong Pagar did not yield after the initial setback and defended stoutly. Albirex finally got their 2nd goal in the 44th minute after more probing and thrusting, when centre midfielder Shodai Yokoyama powered a lovely shot into the left corner from the edge of the box. 2 nil.
Just as the spectators thought we were heading into half time with a 2 nil lead, the White Swans had other ideas. Sensing the opponents were not getting back into defensive shape from their attack, GK Yamamoto made a quick goal kick to right winger Shuto Komaki. Komaki released the ball to veteran striker Tadanari Lee who carried the ball further up the right wing and passed the ball across the face of the goal to an onrushing Seia Kunori. Without any backlift, Kunori stroked the ball into the bottom right corner. So simple, so clinical.
#10 Seia Kunori
3 nil, half time and the skies started pouring.
The referee blew for restart for the second half despite the heavy rain but he had to suspend the match after 3 minutes as the ball was not rolling properly in a waterlogged pitch. The Lightning warning system also lighted up shortly after the suspension.
Play resumed more than an hour later. With a 3 nil lead and a slippery pitch, there was no need for the White Swans to take unnecessary risks. The players were contented to move the ball around and kept their defensive shape against the Jaguar's counter attack.
Kunori finally put the icing on the cake in the 89th minute when he broke through the Jaguars defence and shot the ball into the net. Full time 4 nil.
Albirex will travel to Our Tampines Hub 3 days later on 27 Jun (Tues) to take on Tampines Rovers. It will be a much anticipated top of the table clash. Kickoff is 7.45pm
Match Detail
