Albirex took a big step towards retaining the title when they beat title challengers, Tampines Rovers, 6-3 this evening at Jurong East Stadium in front of a capacity crowd.
Attacking midfielder Seia Kunori probably scored the fastest goal in the Singapore Premier League history in just 10 seconds after kickoff. Veteran striker Tadanari Lee stole the ball off Tampines make shift centre back, Shah Shahiran and squared the ball to Kunori. Kunori's shot bounced off the pitch and the ball's trajectory deceived Tampines goalkeeper Ridhuan Baharudin. 1 nil when the spectators barely had their seats warmed.
The second goal came just as fast. In the 4th minute, centre back, Koki Kawachi played a long ball over the top of Tampines backline. Kunori penetrated the Tampines defence, let the ball bounced once and volleyed the ball into the net. A definite contender for Goal of the Season. 2 nil in 4 minutes, the Albirex supporters were in dreamland.
2 minutes later, penalty! Ex-Albirex captain, Kyoga Nakamura, was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box and referee Jansen Foo pointed to the spot without any hesitation. Kunori could have created history by scoring the fastest hat trick in the Singapore Premier League. However, Ridhuan thwarted his dream by saving his penalty.
The save seemed to have galvanised the Stags, as they started to attack. A VAR review in the 19th minute decided that captain and right back Asahi Yokokawa had tripped Faris Ramli in the box and a penalty was awarded to Tampines. Yasir Hanapi stepped up and sent Hassan Sunny the wrong way.
The score was tied just 7 minutes later when Ryaan Sanizal arrived unmarked at the right post and squeezed his header into the bottom right corner from Glenn Kweh's cross. 2-2, Albirex supporters were now shell-shocked while Tampines fans made all the noises.
However, the coolest customer on the pitch was probably star striker Tadanari Lee, amid all the noises and commotion on and off the pitch. Yokokawa, eager to make up for his mistake at conceding the penalty, latched on to right winger Shuto Komaki's back heel and ghosted his way along the bye line in the 29th minute. His cross reached Lee who reacted fastest and toe-poked the ball into the net. The White Swans retook the lead at 3-2.
5 minutes later, centre back Kishimoto made it 4-2 when he rose highest to thumped the ball into the net from midfielder Shodai Yokoyama's cross. This was Kishimoto's 2nd goal in consecutive games.
There were no more goals in this half as the supporters caught a breather at half time after all the fast and furious actions and drama.
The second half was just as pulsating as both teams went for the jugular. Tampines drew first blood this time as Faris Ramli sneaked in between 2 Albirex defender to head in Nakamura's cross in the 69th minute. 4-3. The tension was becoming unbearable for the fans.
Buoyed by the goal, Tampines took the initiative and pushed more bodies forward in search of the equaliser. However, they found the Albirex defence holding firm, and when they had space behind the defence, Hassan proved to be a massive and impregnable fortress.
【#18 Hassan Sunny】
As Tampines tired, the White Swans started to come out from their shell, or rather, nest. In the 82nd minute, substitute Ryo Takahashi sneaked in unmarked at the far post to power Kaisei Ogawa's corner into the goal. 5-3, the White Swans could breathe easier now.
【#2 Ryo Takahashi】
A minute later, Keito "Fire" Komatsu pressed the Tampines defence into mistakes and stole the ball to create a one-on-one situation with GK Ridhuan. "Fire" picked his spot and sent Ridhuan the wrong way for his 12th goal of the season.
【#11 Keito Komatsu】
6-3. Game over, breathe and both teams started to send in substitutes to close out the game.
The victory extended the White Swan's lead over Tampines to 6 points with 4 games left, while Tampines has played a game more. The White Swans need 2 more wins to retain their title.
They will start their quest next Thursday, 3 Aug, with a visit to Our Tampines Hub to face Geylang International. Kickoff is 7.45pm.
Match Detail
Attacking midfielder Seia Kunori probably scored the fastest goal in the Singapore Premier League history in just 10 seconds after kickoff. Veteran striker Tadanari Lee stole the ball off Tampines make shift centre back, Shah Shahiran and squared the ball to Kunori. Kunori's shot bounced off the pitch and the ball's trajectory deceived Tampines goalkeeper Ridhuan Baharudin. 1 nil when the spectators barely had their seats warmed.
The second goal came just as fast. In the 4th minute, centre back, Koki Kawachi played a long ball over the top of Tampines backline. Kunori penetrated the Tampines defence, let the ball bounced once and volleyed the ball into the net. A definite contender for Goal of the Season. 2 nil in 4 minutes, the Albirex supporters were in dreamland.
2 minutes later, penalty! Ex-Albirex captain, Kyoga Nakamura, was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box and referee Jansen Foo pointed to the spot without any hesitation. Kunori could have created history by scoring the fastest hat trick in the Singapore Premier League. However, Ridhuan thwarted his dream by saving his penalty.
The save seemed to have galvanised the Stags, as they started to attack. A VAR review in the 19th minute decided that captain and right back Asahi Yokokawa had tripped Faris Ramli in the box and a penalty was awarded to Tampines. Yasir Hanapi stepped up and sent Hassan Sunny the wrong way.
The score was tied just 7 minutes later when Ryaan Sanizal arrived unmarked at the right post and squeezed his header into the bottom right corner from Glenn Kweh's cross. 2-2, Albirex supporters were now shell-shocked while Tampines fans made all the noises.
However, the coolest customer on the pitch was probably star striker Tadanari Lee, amid all the noises and commotion on and off the pitch. Yokokawa, eager to make up for his mistake at conceding the penalty, latched on to right winger Shuto Komaki's back heel and ghosted his way along the bye line in the 29th minute. His cross reached Lee who reacted fastest and toe-poked the ball into the net. The White Swans retook the lead at 3-2.
5 minutes later, centre back Kishimoto made it 4-2 when he rose highest to thumped the ball into the net from midfielder Shodai Yokoyama's cross. This was Kishimoto's 2nd goal in consecutive games.
There were no more goals in this half as the supporters caught a breather at half time after all the fast and furious actions and drama.
The second half was just as pulsating as both teams went for the jugular. Tampines drew first blood this time as Faris Ramli sneaked in between 2 Albirex defender to head in Nakamura's cross in the 69th minute. 4-3. The tension was becoming unbearable for the fans.
Buoyed by the goal, Tampines took the initiative and pushed more bodies forward in search of the equaliser. However, they found the Albirex defence holding firm, and when they had space behind the defence, Hassan proved to be a massive and impregnable fortress.
【#18 Hassan Sunny】
As Tampines tired, the White Swans started to come out from their shell, or rather, nest. In the 82nd minute, substitute Ryo Takahashi sneaked in unmarked at the far post to power Kaisei Ogawa's corner into the goal. 5-3, the White Swans could breathe easier now.
【#2 Ryo Takahashi】
A minute later, Keito "Fire" Komatsu pressed the Tampines defence into mistakes and stole the ball to create a one-on-one situation with GK Ridhuan. "Fire" picked his spot and sent Ridhuan the wrong way for his 12th goal of the season.
【#11 Keito Komatsu】
6-3. Game over, breathe and both teams started to send in substitutes to close out the game.
The victory extended the White Swan's lead over Tampines to 6 points with 4 games left, while Tampines has played a game more. The White Swans need 2 more wins to retain their title.
They will start their quest next Thursday, 3 Aug, with a visit to Our Tampines Hub to face Geylang International. Kickoff is 7.45pm.
Match Detail
