Among the 15 trophies on offer in local professional football since 2015, Albirex Niigata have won 13 of them, completing three straight clean sweeps since 2016 in an era of dominance never seen here.
But, before tonight's Community Shield curtain raiser, has the first signs of weakness appeared for the team that clinched the Singapore Premier League (SPL) title last year without losing a game?
Last week, Albirex were thumped 4-0 by Tampines Rovers in a pre-season friendly.
The defeat was notable as the White Swans had played a strong XI, barring new 2.05m forward Makito Hatanaka.
The club's new head coach Keiji Shigetomi said: "Tampines are a very strong team with many national players. They will be title contenders this year.
"Even though we lost 4-0, it was a very good lesson for us. I learnt more about my team and we will be ready for the Community Shield."
NEW CHALLENGES
Last season, we didn't lose any match, but we have only four members of that squad who are still with us. And we have (six) Singaporean players with us, it will be a more difficult challenge for us.
KEIJI SHIGETOMI, Albirex Niigata's new head coach, on the season ahead.
Albirex will meet SPL runners-up Home United tonight at the Jalan Besar Stadium (6pm).
Shigetomi's men had won their other sparring matches (2-0 against Hougang United and 6-0 against the Singapore Under-18s), but face a tough task rebuilding after new league rules dictate that the Japanese club have to sign a minimum of four local players, and have to start with at least two every game.
Shigetomi said: "Our target is to win all the titles, but the team are new and we have to work very hard. Last season, we didn't lose any match, but we have only four members of that squad who are still with us.
"And we have (six) Singaporean players with us, it will be a more difficult challenge for us. But we will take one game at a time and not look too far."
From last year's all-conquering side, the White Swans have kept only midfielder Hiroyoshi Kamata and the defensive trio of Shuhei Sasahara, Kaishu Yamazaki and Kodai Sumikawa while Singaporeans Hyrulnizam Juma'at, Gerald Ang, Noor Akid, Firas Irwan, Zamani Zamri and Martens Daniel will don the orange jersey this season.
Shigetomi said: "The change in regulations affected our team a lot. The overall age of the squad has also been reduced.
"A lot of the players may not have the necessary experience yet. It will be a challenge."
As Albirex try to maintain their winning formula in the SPL, new Home coach Saswadimata Dasuki is plotting to end the Protectors' 16-year title drought.
He said: "Our target is to win the (league) title, but we know that Tampines and Albirex are very strong and Hougang (United) have beefed up their squad.
"It's not going to be easy, but the target is there. We finished second last year and we want to take one step further this year."
Home had also conducted an efficient recruitment drive, snapping up former Albirex forward and SPL Young Player of the Year Adam Swandi.
The 23-year-old striker will cast emotions aside when he faces his former team tonight.
Adam said: "It's a very difficult position for me because Albirex really groomed me into a better player and person.
"I want to thank them for the opportunity, but football is football, you go to different teams in different seasons.
"I now have to fight for the crest on my chest and I want to give 100 per cent to get the Community Shield."
Wang Meng Meng
Football: Man City come from two goals down to reach FA Cup last four Manchester City's Sergio Aguero celebrates with Bernardo Silva after scoring their third goal. PHOTO: REUTERS
Man City come from two goals down to reach FA Cup last four
Solskjaer unimpressed as United ease past Reading in Cup starts to some out-of-favour big names in Saturday's FA Cup third round win over second-tier Reading. Football - FA Cup Third
Solskjaer unimpressed as United ease past Reading in Cup
FAS' media-rights partner begins bankruptcy process, Football News & Top Stories #Straits_Times. Una Healy reveals she's 'so excited' to guest present Virgin
How to Declare and File for Bankruptcy - 4-Step Process
Manchester City will return to China this year for the first time since their ill-fated visit of 2016, when a game with cross-town rivals United was called off at the last minute. The first overseas Manchester derby was cancelled just hours before kick-off because of an unplayable surface at Beijing's "Bird's Nest" stadium following heavy rain.
Elliot May, 14, has this message on the placard he has been holding up for close to three hours as he ambles round the city centre in Madrid. This wasn't how the young Liverpool fan pictured the Champions League final when he and his father, Teddy, floated the idea of a trip to Spain. Teddy, though, is upbeat.
Chelsea's Olivier Giroud seeks France return to boost game time Olivier Giroud, is hoping to get a starting role with France as he has not started a Premier League game for Chelsea since the club signed Gonzalo Higuain.
Chelsea's Giroud seeks France return to boost game time
Manchester City will have had an incredible season irrespective of their trophy haul according to Pep Guardiola, who described his players as "my heroes" after they booked a place in the FA Cup final.
Pep Guardiola hails derby heroes as Manchester City moved
Tampines Rovers needed a three-goal salvo in the dying minutes in their last AFC Cup Group F match on April 17 to secure a 4-2 victory over Cambodia's Nagaworld FC.. Read more at straitstimes.com.
AFC Cup 2019: Tampines survive almighty Yangon scare to stay
SINGAPORE — Newly-appointed Football Association of Singapore (FAS) technical director Joseph Palatsides believes that Singapore football is a sleeping giant, and the nation's culture of excellence needs to be infused into the sport's structure to revive its fortunes.
Football: New FAS technical director Joseph Palatsides aims
Lionel Messi became the first man to score 400 La Liga goals as Barcelona eased to a 3-0 win at home to Eibar on Sunday which kept the Catalans five points clear at the top of the standings at the
FIFA 19 La Liga Team of the Season: Messi and - goal.com
Pep Guardiola Stays Cool Despite Shock Man City Defeat Ilkay Gundogan opened the scoring for the home side at the Etihad but Palace hit back with goals from Jeffrey Schlupp and Andros Townsend followed by a Luka Milivojevic penalty.
Guardiola stays cool despite shock Man City defeat - Punch
Football: Chelsea sweat on Kante fitness for Europa League
'Too early' to know if Casillas will play after heart attack. Spanish goalkeeper remained in hospital after suffering a heart attack during training with his football club Porto.
Casillas denies he has retired from football after receiving
Paul Pogba scores his second penalty to help Manchester United to victory over West Ham - AFP "We were lucky to get away with three points and even a draw I would have taken at one point
Pogba spotkicks fire Man United past Hammers - NewZimbabwe.com
Jurgen Klopp celebrates with his players after the win over Barcelona Klopp told a press conference: "It would be a big football moment for us. Nothing has changed for us, we knew it before. "The only thing we can do is win. (Wolves manager) Nuno (Espirito Santo) is doing an incredible job there."
Black Ops 4 Zombies BLIND - Insane Pack-a-Punch & Thors
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen