【Match Report】SPL 10th Leg "Brave Swans Attack Sailors in Wet Conditions"
The White Swans extended their lead at the top with a fine 3-2 win over the Lion City Sailors at Bishan Stadium.
The kickoff was delayed for 35 minutes due to lightning risk but rain continued to pour during the match. In addition, there was a league match held between Balestier Khalsa and Young Lions a day earlier. Thus both teams had to endure a heavy pitch for the game.
The White Swans seemed to settle faster into the difficult pitch as both sets of players slide and fell and passes went astray. At the 12th minute, Singaporean attacking midfielder, Iman Hakim, switched play from the right to left back Hiroyoshi Kamata who forayed up front. Kamata squared the ball to top striker Tomoyoshi Doi, who took one touch and swung his left boot to shoot the ball beyond Sailor's keeper Hassan Sunny's despairing reach.
However, the White Swans conceded a penalty 10 minutes later when the referee adjudged Centreback Rio Sakuma to have tripped Shahril Ishak, Sailor's veteran striker. Sailor's Korean midfielder, Song Uiyong made no mistake with the spot kick to level the scores.
The White Swans continued to press the Sailor's defence upfront despite the setback. They were duly rewarded in the 34th minute when Sailor's Centreback Tajeli lost possession and White Swan's left winger Ryosuke Nagasawa laid the ball for the onrushing right winger Fairoz Hasan to give the White Swans the lead again. This is Fairoz's first goal for the White Swans since he joined the team in August this year.
In a see-saw game, the White Swans were pegged back a second time just before the break. Tajeli atoned for his mistake earlier when he headed in Sailor's playmaker Shahdan Sulaiman's inswinging corner at the 45th minute. Both teams headed into the tunnel all square at 2-2 for half time.
Ex White Swan's Adam Swandi was brought on at half time to replace Shahril Ishak. The Sailors immediately went on the attack in the 2nd half. In the 54th minute, Sailor's winger Gabriel Quak broke free on the right wing. Instead of passing to the unmarked Adam, Gabriel chose to shoot. The White Swan's custodian Kei Okawa blocked his shot and the ball rebounded to safety.
After weathering the early storm in the 2nd half, the White Swans settled and started to make the attacking moves. Hassan Sunny saved well from Doi, when Doi broke through the Sailor's defence in the 64th minute. The White Swans were not to be denied though. Captain Hashioka turned the Sailor's left back, Naiquddin, inside out in the 77th minute, and put in a low and hard cross into the Sailor's box. Substitute Left back Hanada, who came on in the 62nd minute to replace Iman, was lurking at the far post. He immediately swung his left boot to send the ball into the right corner of the net.
The White Swans defended stoutly after taking the lead for the third time in this match. The forwards pressed incessantly upfront; midfielders tore into tackles; while the defenders threw their bodies to block the opponent's shots. The White Swans were relieved to hear the final whistle as the Sailors sank to the ground. Both teams gave their all for the match.
The win takes the White Swans to 23 points from 7 wins, 2 draws and a loss. 2nd placed Tampines Rovers lost ground when they could only drew 2-2 with Tanjong Pagar FC. Tampines Rovers has 21 points from 6 wins, 3 draws and a loss.
There are 4 games left for the season and the White Swans will have the next 3 at their home ground at Jurong East Stadium. They will first meet Young Lions this Wednesday 22 Nov. Kick off is at 7.45pm.
■Match Details
http://www.albirex.com.sg/en/archives/game-schedule/2020spl10thleg-en/
■Highlights
■Post-Match Interview
(#1) Okawa Kei
(#20) Hanada Yasuhiro
(Head Coach) Shigetomi Keiji
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