The 30th edition of the Singapore Premier League (SPL) got underway with last season’s runners-up Tampines Rovers extending their unbeaten streak in opening-day matches to eight games, dating back to their 2-1 defeat by Albirex Niigata (now FC Jurong) in 2018.
The Stags beat Balestier Khalsa 2-0, albeit in less than convincing fashion, handing the Tigers a disappointing start after they enjoyed a commendable campaign last season that saw them finish fourth.
“Starting the season, it’s always difficult because we don’t know how the opponent will set up… Overall, my objective was to get the three points,” Tampines head coach Nazri Nasir said.
“In the Community Shield we played well but we didn’t get the result. Today, I think we played well, kept possession… I’m happy with it.”
Praising his side’s defence for producing a sound display and working hard to see out the result, Nazri also singled out Player of the Match and last season’s SPL top scorer Hide Higashikawa for getting on the scoresheet.
“It’s important for him to get that goal to build his confidence in the early season,” Nazri said.
The Japanese striker, true to form, credited his teammates for the goal and said he is looking forward to the season, free from any sort of pressure that could come after a prolific campaign last term.
Despite a slight delay due to overcast weather, the opening clash of the landmark 30th SPL season — fittingly between two members of the inaugural 1996 season — eventually got under way, with newly appointed Balestier captain Tajeli Salamat receiving warm applause from the travelling fans as he took to the field following his off-season move to the Tigers.
The visitors saw more of the ball in the opening stages despite the occasional hiccups from their new Japanese midfield pairing of Hiro Mizuguchi and former J2 player Yushin Otake.
But Tampines had the first real sight of goal in the 26th minute, when Yuki Kobayashi’s 30-yard free kick was headed for the bottom corner before Mario Mustapic got down smartly to palm it away.
Balestier’s defence had been airtight up till that point, but they unwittingly shot themselves in the foot when an inviting cross from a Kobayashi corner ricocheted off the dangling foot of Tajeli.
With just a minute left before the interval, fit-again Tampines winger Faris Ramli looked to have doubled the advantage with a sweet volley from the centre of the box, but it was struck off for offside.
The experienced attacker missed the majority of last season through a knee injury, with his last league appearance for the Stags coming last October against Hougang.
After the break, Balestier winger Daniel Goh came close to restoring parity when his point-blank strike rattled the woodwork, only for the effort to be ruled offside.
The Tigers began to string together some promising passages of play but struggled to apply the finishing touch in the final third.
Things nearly went from bad to worse in the 69th minute when full-back Fudhil Iyadh was shown a red card, only for the decision to be overturned following a VAR review.
But there was to be no trademark comeback from the Tigers, as Higashikawa put the game beyond doubt late on. The Japanese striker connected superbly with new signing Shodai Yokoyama’s cross, ghosting between Tajeli and Bill Mamadou to power home a header.
The goal, scored on his 40th appearance for Tampines, was Higashikawa’s 33rd across all competitions for the Stags.
Balestier head coach Marko Kraljevic felt his side was hard done by to come away with the loss, but conceded that there was room for improvement in the final third.
“In the attacking third we are missing some extra quality.”
“For our first game, it’s not bad, we tried our best. It’s unfortunate we conceded the own goal. I don’t think Tampines created many chances on goal… We had a few half chances.”
On his aim to tighten up the defence this season after shipping 46 goals across 21 league outings last season, Marko said it would take time for the backline to gel.
“Defending I think we did quite well. We allowed them to make some chances in transition, but it wasn’t too much.”
He also noted the absence of some key defensive players such as new signings Shakir Hamzah and Jun Kobayasahi who were sidelined due to injury.
Tampines will fly to China to play Shanghai Shenhua in their AFC Champions League Two opener next Thursday (Sep 17) while Balestier face Tanjong Pagar next Saturday (Sep 19) for their first home league match of the season.
