SINGAPORE PREMIER LEAGUE
Albirex Niigata 0
Brunei DPMM 0
Singapore Premier League (SPL) leaders Brunei DPMM extended their unbeaten start to the season to 11 games after they held defending champions Albirex Niigata to a goal-less draw last night.
With most of his players observing the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, DPMM coach Adrian Pennock was happy with the point at the White Swans' Jurong East Stadium home.
"It's a great point," said the former Stoke City assistant manager.
"To come here, fasting or not, is always difficult and we had to dig in. We didn't come here to draw, but the (fatigue) caught up with us a bit.
"Our players showed they had big hearts."
Last night's match pitted the two most in-form players against each other in midfield.
Albirex had skipper Kyoga Nakamura, the SPL's best young player last month, while DPMM boasted Australian midfielder Blake Ricciuto, who won the goal and player of the month awards.
But Ricciuto, 26, was unable to assert himself on the game because he had his hands full in midfield combating the pass-and-move style of the Japanese side.
As a result, DPMM's Belarusian striker Andrey Varankow, the league's leading scorer with 14 goals from 10 games, cut an isolated figure up front.
The 23-year-old Nakamura, however, was able to show glimpses of his quality and was involved in two of the game's brightest moments.
In the 29th minute, he shimmied past two men before letting rip a fierce shot from outside the box that DPMM goalkeeper Wardun Yussof tipped over the bar.
Then, just seconds into the second half, the former Japan Under-17 player intercepted a loose pass in midfield, bore down on goal and then set up Hiroyoshi Kamata with a golden opportunity.
But Kamata inexplicably slid the ball into the side netting after rounding Wardun.
Albirex stayed in third place on 18 points from 10 games, one point behind Hougang United - and nine behind DPMM, who have played one game more.
Albirex coach Keiji Shigetomi rued the missed opportunity, saying: "Our players worked very hard, but we dropped two points tonight.
"Our accuracy was not good enough, and we need to do better."
"Not to give up under any circumstances should be the motto of our life: we shall try again and again, and we are bound to succeed. There will be obstacles, but we have to defy them. So do not give up, do not give up! Continue, continue! The goal is ahead of you. If you do not give up, you are bound to reach your destined goal."
Liverpool could match Arsenal's Invincibles by going through a Premier League season without defeat, according to Unai Emery. Liverpool can be Invincibles, says Emery. a result that
Emery thinks Liverpool can emulate Arsenal's 'Invincibles
By Leonardo Benassatto and Gabriel Stargardter. SAO PAULO/RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - A woman has accused Brazil soccer player Neymar of raping her in Paris, according to a Sao Paulo police report
Neymar accused of committing rape in Paris, says police
Players acknowledge fans and celebrate after Juventus secured its 8th consecutive Italian Serie A title in Turin on Saturday. Football Juventus win eighth Serie A title in a row.
Juventus win eighth successive Serie A title | Sports News
Abu Dhabi: Japan captain Maya Yoshida promised the Blue Samurai would come back stronger after suffering a shock 3-1 defeat by Qatar in the Asian Cup final. A moment of magic from Qatar striker
2019 AFC Asian Cup - Wikipedia
Weary feet to blame for England's fall, Football News & Top
The Europa League's top scorer Olivier Giroud took his tally to 10 with his strike against Slavia Prague. Manager Maurizio Sarri says Chelsea's slow starts to the second half of matches are becoming a "big problem", after they were forced to withstand a Slavia Prague fightback before reaching the Europa League semi-finals.
Football: Chelsea beat Slavia Prague to reach Europa League
Liverpool set to earn almost £150 million after second-placed finish in Premier League to the Champions League final, with victory over Tottenham in Madrid of the domestic and overseas TV
Liverpool's record with Champions League final referee will
Keep foot on pedal, warns Solskjaer, Football News & Top
A 'keeper you could always bank on, Football News & Top
The end of Ramadan marks the joyous occasion of Eid Al Fitr (feast after fasting) on which celebrations are held, typically for three days. Eid commences on the sighting of the Shawwal (tenth month of the Hijri calendar) crescent moon,when the 29 or 30 days of Ramadan conclude after sunset.
Morning Stories Roundup: Ancient Sua Tree in Hanoi to be
MANCHESTER (AFP) - Chelsea boss Maurizio Sarri said he could not understand what happened after Manchester City crushed his side 6-0 on Sunday (Feb 10) - their biggest ever defeat in the Premier
Chelsea boss Sarri baffled by 6-0 humbling at Man City
Language
while talking the use of several foul or inappropriate words.
Theatre review: A dark, demonic, adults-only comedy — with
0 comments:
Post a Comment