Lion City Sailors fullback Akram Azman marked his first league start of the season in style with an expertly weighted long-ball assist and a well-taken volley to inspire his side to a crucial 3-0 win over title contenders Albirex Niigata on Monday (Oct 27) night.
Together with goals from attackers Lennart Thy and Bart Ramselaar, the 24-year-old helped the hosts earn early bragging rights over an unbeaten Albirex side that has impressed in the season’s opening weeks.
“It’s a very important win as Albirex have been very consistent. It is always tough to play against them and we have had results go the wrong way in the past, but tonight we got the win and that’s what matters.”
The defender had been starved of minutes earlier in the campaign, having featured only as a late substitute in last Saturday’s 5-1 win over the Young Lions since August’s Community Shield. But he impressed in his brief cameo against the developmental side, creating a goal for Shawal Anuar with a right-footed cross just moments after entering the fray.
“It’s tough (to be on the bench), in terms of fitness and confidence. But the belief and support from the team, the officials, and everyone who played today is sufficient for me to go on to the pitch and just do my best,” he said.
On this occasion, he earned his first start in place of Chris van Huizen, who was sidelined by illness, and was quick to make his mark in attack. The 24-year-old expertly picked out Lennart Thy in the box with a precise cross on his favoured right foot, which the striker looped just under the bar in the 19th minute for the opener and his fifth goal of the season.
After missing out on the starting lineup in the first two games, with Rankovic opting for Brazilian forward Anderson Lopes, the German has responded impressively on the pitch, scoring in four straight matches to lead the goalscoring charts.
“If you’ve got a strong player in front of you or just behind you, it doesn’t matter. It just forces everyone to bring out the best in themselves,” the striker said.
The Sailors doubled their lead just after the hour mark when a long throw into the box was nodded on by Bailey Wright over to the penalty spot, where Ramselaar was lurking unmarked as he unleashed the cleanest of strikes to rifle into the net.
Then came Akram’s peach of a volley from outside of the box in the 73rd minute, after Diogo Costa’s near-post shot was parried into his path by opposition keeper Hassan Sunny.
Sailors head coach Aleksandar Rankovic was beaming with the defender’s display after he left the pitch in the 86th minute for Zulqarnaen Suzliman.
“He started a little nervous, which is normal since he hasn’t played much,” said Rankovic. “But after the first half, he settled into his rhythm, and I was very pleased that he managed to get on the scoresheet.”
But despite receiving his coach’s plaudits, Akram is keen to keep his head down and “take it one game at a time”.
“It’s only been a short stint, just two games… I’m not too worried. I will play if I get the opportunity, and if I’m sitting on the bench, I will still have the same support and energy for the team,” Akram said, adding that he hopes his performances over the season will earn him a return to the national fold as well.
Meanwhile, opposing coach Keiji Shigetomi rued his side’s “poor finishing” despite creating a handful of chances. Striker Shingo Nakanano was tireless in attack, chasing down loose balls to carve out any sort of goal attempt, but could not find the net on this occasion.
With the campaign set to resume only in January, Rankovic wasn’t getting carried away just yet.
“It’s nice to win the first five games, but it says almost nothing. It’s going to be a long season, a little shorter than the last one, but there are still many games to play,” he said. “Albirex are a very well-organised team. You can see how they sprint, especially when transitioning back, and I think this team can definitely end up near the top of the table.”
At the Our Tampines Hub, a late Irfan Najeeb goal helped Tampines Rovers to a 2-1 win over Hougang United, who had undergone a sudden coaching change with Pannarai Pansiri taking over the reins from Robert Eziakor. The result puts them up to third (eight points), just two points behind Eastern rivals Geylang International.
