Tampines Rovers could seal passage to the Asean zone semi-finals of the AFC Cup with a win over Yangon United at the Jalan Besar Stadium today, but Stags head coach Kadir Yahaya has warned his charges to be wary of the Myanmar side.
With two matches left, Tampines lead Group F with 10 points, three ahead of Vietnam's Hanoi FC.
Cambodian side Nagaworld and Yangon have three points apiece but the former are third because of a better head-to-head record.
Yangon are all but out of the running for a place in the knock-out stages - they are unlikely to finish as the best second-placed team among the three Asean groups - which makes them a threat, according to Kadir.
At the pre-game media conference at the Copthorne King's Hotel yesterday, the former Singapore international said: "They have nothing to lose, and so the danger we are facing is that they are playing with no objective.
"They can attack at will, and for us it is important to remain calm, keep our shape and composure."
The caution is understandable after Tampines struggled before beating Nagaworld 4-2 through three goals in the dying minutes in their last game on April 17.
UNBRIDLED ATTACK
They have nothing to lose, and so the danger we are facing is that they are playing with no objective. They can attack at will, and for us it is important to remain calm, keep our shape and composure.
KADIR YAHAYA, Tampines head coach, on Yangon's attack.
Kadir said of that match: "We expected their (Nagaworld's) fast counter attacks, and there were some lapses in concentration on our part which resulted in them equalising (to make it 1-1)."
"Credit to the players, they kept fighting and eventually we got the goals and result we wanted."
His experienced stars like Khairul Amri and Daniel Bennett will be key to getting a win against Yangon to lift the team after their poor run of just three draws in their last four Singapore Premier League (SPL) matches.
Kadir believes that squad rotation - essential when competing in the AFC Cup - affects the team's consistency, and pointed to how Home United also suffered domestically during their run to the Asean zone crown last year, and how the Protectors posted stronger results in the SPL after the group stage of the AFC Cup.
Home won just twice in their first seven SPL games last term, but notched 10 wins in their next 17 matches to finish second.
Yangon coach Myo Min Tun is expecting a tough night for his charges, especially without first-choice goalkeeper Kyaw Zin Htet (illness) and Guinean striker Sekou Sylla (suspension).
"Tampines have many good and skilful individual players, like the two wingers (Ryutaro Megumi and Jordan Webb)," noted the 35-year-old, who scored for Myanmar against Singapore in the 2008 AFF Suzuki Cup.
"Tomorrow will be very difficult for us, but we will do our best to challenge and show our level and our team's playing style."
TAMPINES V YANGON
Jalan Besar Stadium. Singtel TV Ch114 & StarHub Ch208, 7.20pm
Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has completed his move to Monaco. Fabregas will move to Monaco without a fee for now, as Chelsea will be paid via bonuses depending on the Fabregas's
Chelsea make Cesc Fabregas wait to complete Monaco move as
Spurs TV fixtures: Where you can watch the clashes against Manchester City and West Ham. Tottenham will be on television a few times before the end of the season
Tottenham confirm Man City clash at Wembley - africa.espn.com
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino feels his two-match touchline ban for confronting referee Mike Dean is "completely unfair".
Ban completely unfair: Pochettino - theworldnews.net
Home United snap Albirex Niigata's title-winning streak
Manchester City were shocked 3-2 by Crystal Palace at home on Saturday, suffering their second defeat in three Premier League matches to lose ground on Liverpool in the title race.
Manchester City suffer shock 3-2 Premier League defeat by
Ozil leads five-star Arsenal past Bournemouth Mesut Ozil made the most of being handed a rare start by Arsenal boss Unai Emery as the German masterminded a 5-1 victory over Bournemouth on Wednesday to keep the Gunners in pole position for a top-four finish in the Premier League.
Football: Ozil leads five-star Arsenal past Bournemouth
SINGAPORE, 2 MAY 2019 - The Football Association of Singapore (FAS) today unveiled Mr Joseph Palatsides as the man to guide Singapore football forward in his new role of Technical Director. The Australian, whose appointment took effect yesterday (1 May), was presented at a press conference on Thursday afternoon at Jalan Besar Stadium.
Football: New FAS technical director Joseph Palatsides aims
Marcus Rashford Childhood Story Plus Untold Biography Facts: Early Life Marcus Rashford was born on the 31st of October 1997 in Wythendshave, Manchester, United Kingdom by Robert Rashford (father) and Melanie Rashford (mother).
Marcus Rashford Biography - Facts, Childhood, Family Life
Football: China all but confirmed as 2023 Asian Cup hosts
Cardiff manager Neil Warnock reveals his pride despite losing 2-1 at Arsenal as the Welsh side return to action for the first time since a plane carrying the club's record signing Emiliano Sala
Warnock hails Cardiff's heart as Bluebirds win again for Sala
Ranieri's appointment was announced today, and the manager's job is to save Fulham from relegation. And Ladbrokes has Ranieri on 7/4 to sign Danny Drinkwater in the January transfer window. Drinking water has been told that he can leave the blues when the right offer comes in, and the chance to meet Ranieri again could seduce the midfielder.
Fulham 1-2 Chelsea: Chelsea Player ratings | Premier League
MADRID • Spanish police yesterday arrested several footballers, former players and club executives as part of a match-fixing investigation. Daily El Pais revealed former player Raul Bravo, who played for Real Madrid and was an ex-Spain international; Borja Fernandez, who retired earlier this month following the end of Valladolid's LaLiga season; and ex-Sevilla player Carlos Aranda were among
Players nabbed in Spain fixing probe - Virginia Bus
virginiabus.info/sports/players-nabbed-in-spain-fixing-probe/
MADRID • Spanish police yesterday arrested several footballers, former players and club executives as part of a match-fixing investigation. Daily El Pais revealed former player Raul Bravo, who played for Real Madrid and was an ex-Spain international; Borja Fernandez, who retired earlier this month following the end of Valladolid's LaLiga season; and ex-Sevilla player Carlos […]
Players probed in Spanish football match-fixing swoop | Sport24
MANCHESTER: Manchester City celebrated their domestic treble with an open-top bus parade on Monday, drawing an estimated 100,000 fans to the streets of the city centre. Pep Guardiola's City side
Treble Winners Manchester City Enjoy Parade | Football News
0 comments:
Post a Comment