A long hard season ended for the White Swans this evening at Jurong East Stadium when the League Champions could not get the win they needed to progress to the semi finals of a dismal Singapore Cup campaign.
Tampines Rovers were in pole position as they only needed a win to secure a semi-final berth.
Thus they were contented to sit back in the first half and hit Albirex with swift counter attacks and the powerful play of Boris Kopitovic.
The White Swans could not find any meaningful breakthrough as the first half ended scoreless.
Albirex continued to huff and puff in the second half and finally got their due rewards in the 68th minute. Centre back Koki Kawachi rose highest to head in a corner to give Albirex the lead.
【#4 Koki Kawachi】
However, in the 80th minute, the referee awarded a penalty kick when Tampines winger Faris Ramli fell in the penalty box. VAR checks ended quickly although the video replay did not show any contact with the Tampines player. Kopitovic despatched the equaliser although Albirex keeper Hassan Sunny guess the right way.
The White Swans tried hard to get the second goal to no avail. The players slumped to the ground at the final whistle as they knew that this is the last time this group of players will play together.
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Nonetheless, it was still a successful season for the White Swans as they retained the league title and won multiple awards at the FAS Awards night last Thursday. For Season 2024, Albirex will turn into a local club and will mainly recruit Singaporean players.
Match Details
Tampines Rovers were in pole position as they only needed a win to secure a semi-final berth.
Thus they were contented to sit back in the first half and hit Albirex with swift counter attacks and the powerful play of Boris Kopitovic.
The White Swans could not find any meaningful breakthrough as the first half ended scoreless.
Albirex continued to huff and puff in the second half and finally got their due rewards in the 68th minute. Centre back Koki Kawachi rose highest to head in a corner to give Albirex the lead.
【#4 Koki Kawachi】
However, in the 80th minute, the referee awarded a penalty kick when Tampines winger Faris Ramli fell in the penalty box. VAR checks ended quickly although the video replay did not show any contact with the Tampines player. Kopitovic despatched the equaliser although Albirex keeper Hassan Sunny guess the right way.
The White Swans tried hard to get the second goal to no avail. The players slumped to the ground at the final whistle as they knew that this is the last time this group of players will play together.
Nonetheless, it was still a successful season for the White Swans as they retained the league title and won multiple awards at the FAS Awards night last Thursday. For Season 2024, Albirex will turn into a local club and will mainly recruit Singaporean players.
Match Details
