Attacking midfielder, Seia Kunori, made a late push for the golden boot race as he scored 4 goals tonight at Our Tampines Hub against Geylang International in a 1-6 victory.
【#10 Seia Kunori】
The 4 goals propelled Kunori to 18 goals for the season, with Balestier's Ryoya Taniguchi leading the goal scoring chart with 21 goals and Lion City Sailor's Maxime Lestienne a goal behind. All 3 teams have 3 matches left for the season.
The victory tonight also meant that the White Swans only need 2 points from a possible 9 to retain the Singapore Premier League title. The outcome could be decided as early as tomorrow night when Tampines Rovers play Lion City Sailors. If both teams drew, Albirex will be confirmed SPL 2023 Champions; any other result will meant that the White Swans have to beat neighbours Tanjong Pagar next Friday 11 Aug to clinch the title.
However, the match tonight could have been a potential banana skin for Albirex although the final result stated otherwise. Geylang had won their last 2 games and Our Tampines Hub had been a tricky venue for the White Swans in recent years.
As expected, the Eagles put in a stellar defensive performance in the first half as they restricted the White Swans to half chances. It was not until the 40th minute, when right back, Fadli Kamis, made a hash of his clearance that the White Swans finally have a meaningful attack on goal.
Kunori still have much work to do after receiving the ball from his team mates who made the successful press. He did that with flying colours when he disguised his shot which tricked and turned Eagles centre back Rio Sakuma and goalkeeper Rudy Khairullah the wrong way.
0-1, the White Swans brought the narrow lead into half time.
Loud noise could not be heard from the White Swans' changing room. However, one could imagine Head Coach's Yoshinaga's anger for the White Swan's inept performance in the first half. Harsh words must have been exchanged during half time as the White Swans came out blazing from the tunnel.
4 minutes after kickoff, Substitute winger Riku Fukashiro's direct running at the Geylang's defence caused panic, and he found Kunori whose reverse pass took a deflection into Shuto Komaki's path. Komaki's shot took another deflection and went into the net. 0-2.
【#7 Shuto Komaki】
10 minutes later, Fukashiro once again dazzled the Geylang's defence and he laid it on the plate for Kunori to score his second goal of the night. 0-3.
In the 78th minute, Fukashiro got his reward for his hard work as he slided in at the far post to tap in right back Asahi Yokokawa's cross. 0-4.
The White Swans were not done and were hungry for more. 1 minute later, Strike Keito Komatsu spotted the Geylang Goalkeeper off his line and tried a long distance shot. His shot hit the upright but the rebound fell nicely for Kunori who curled his shot into the far post for his hattrick. 0-5.
The Eagles did not give up and tried to make the score more respectable. Right back Arshad Shamim's cross found winger Yushi Yamaya who head the ball into the net to deny Hassan Sunny his clean sheet in the 83rd minute. 1-5.
Kunori got his 4th goal of the night and Albirex's final and 6th goal in the 91st minute when he headed in young winger Shakthi's cross from the right wing.
The White Swans will next face Tanjong Pagar Utd at Jurong East Stadium in an away game on 11 Aug (Friday). Kick off is 7.45pm.
【Head Coach: Kazuaki Yoshinaga】
Match Detail
【#10 Seia Kunori】
The 4 goals propelled Kunori to 18 goals for the season, with Balestier's Ryoya Taniguchi leading the goal scoring chart with 21 goals and Lion City Sailor's Maxime Lestienne a goal behind. All 3 teams have 3 matches left for the season.
The victory tonight also meant that the White Swans only need 2 points from a possible 9 to retain the Singapore Premier League title. The outcome could be decided as early as tomorrow night when Tampines Rovers play Lion City Sailors. If both teams drew, Albirex will be confirmed SPL 2023 Champions; any other result will meant that the White Swans have to beat neighbours Tanjong Pagar next Friday 11 Aug to clinch the title.
However, the match tonight could have been a potential banana skin for Albirex although the final result stated otherwise. Geylang had won their last 2 games and Our Tampines Hub had been a tricky venue for the White Swans in recent years.
As expected, the Eagles put in a stellar defensive performance in the first half as they restricted the White Swans to half chances. It was not until the 40th minute, when right back, Fadli Kamis, made a hash of his clearance that the White Swans finally have a meaningful attack on goal.
Kunori still have much work to do after receiving the ball from his team mates who made the successful press. He did that with flying colours when he disguised his shot which tricked and turned Eagles centre back Rio Sakuma and goalkeeper Rudy Khairullah the wrong way.
0-1, the White Swans brought the narrow lead into half time.
Loud noise could not be heard from the White Swans' changing room. However, one could imagine Head Coach's Yoshinaga's anger for the White Swan's inept performance in the first half. Harsh words must have been exchanged during half time as the White Swans came out blazing from the tunnel.
4 minutes after kickoff, Substitute winger Riku Fukashiro's direct running at the Geylang's defence caused panic, and he found Kunori whose reverse pass took a deflection into Shuto Komaki's path. Komaki's shot took another deflection and went into the net. 0-2.
【#7 Shuto Komaki】
10 minutes later, Fukashiro once again dazzled the Geylang's defence and he laid it on the plate for Kunori to score his second goal of the night. 0-3.
In the 78th minute, Fukashiro got his reward for his hard work as he slided in at the far post to tap in right back Asahi Yokokawa's cross. 0-4.
The White Swans were not done and were hungry for more. 1 minute later, Strike Keito Komatsu spotted the Geylang Goalkeeper off his line and tried a long distance shot. His shot hit the upright but the rebound fell nicely for Kunori who curled his shot into the far post for his hattrick. 0-5.
The Eagles did not give up and tried to make the score more respectable. Right back Arshad Shamim's cross found winger Yushi Yamaya who head the ball into the net to deny Hassan Sunny his clean sheet in the 83rd minute. 1-5.
Kunori got his 4th goal of the night and Albirex's final and 6th goal in the 91st minute when he headed in young winger Shakthi's cross from the right wing.
The White Swans will next face Tanjong Pagar Utd at Jurong East Stadium in an away game on 11 Aug (Friday). Kick off is 7.45pm.
【Head Coach: Kazuaki Yoshinaga】
Match Detail
