SINGAPORE - Tampines Rovers have spluttered a little following a fine start to the season, but head coach Kadir Yahaya on Tuesday (April 16) said he believes a 10-day break ahead of their AFC Cup Group F game with Nagaworld FC on Wednesday has rejuvenated the squad.
The Stags had won four and drawn one of their first five games in all competitions, scoring 15 goals along the way, but then squandereda host of chances in a 0-0 draw with Albirex Niigata in the Singapore Premier League on March 29.
They rebounded by beating Nagaworld 5-1 in Phnom Penh three days later, but then slipped to a 2-1 loss to Brunei DPMM in Bandar Seri Begawan on April 7. Kadir said the travelling took its toll on his players.
Speaking at the pre-game press conference at the Peninsula Excelsior Hotel, the 51-year-old said: "It has been a much-needed break.
"We have been travelling, training, playing and it is tiring, especially for the national team boys who came back (from international duty in late-March).
"Some had niggling injuries, some were not 100 per cent fit, but we have got them rested and now they're coming back fresh. We hope the rest will see us give a good performance tomorrow."
Tampines defender Amirul Adli, 23, said he and his teammates are very motivated to bounce back from the DPMM loss.
"We are looking at the big picture; there are a lot of games this season and this is just one setback," he said. "We'll learn from our mistakes in the Brunei game, and we are raring to go. We will use the loss as a motivation for us to get back to our winning ways and do even better from now on."
Despite their handsome win in the first meeting with the Cambodian team , Kadir warned the scoreline flattered the Stags.
"The game was quite even, and at 1-1 (Nagaworld) had clear chance to make it 2-1 but were not able to take it," noted the former Singapore defender. "After that we controlled the game and scored our goals... So we are taking this game very seriously."
Tampines top Group F with seven points after three games, followed by Vietnam's Ha Noi (four), Nagaworld and Myanmar's Yangon United (both on three points).
Nagaworld coach Meas Channa, however, is bracing for another onslaught at the Jalan Besar Stadium. The 35-year-old singled out the Stags trio of Japanese winger Ryutaro Megumi, Canadian attacker Jordan Webb and Serbian playmaker Zehrudin Mehmedovic as danger men.
"Tomorrow's game will be very tough for us," said Channa, whose side were also trounced 10-0 by Vietnamese side Ha Noi in an earlier Group F game.
"We played well in the first half (in Phnom Penh) so we will try to do that again, but we may have to be more defensive in the second half."
Rodgers closing in on EPL return with Leicester LONDON • Brendan Rodgers will soon make his return to managing in the Premier League, as Celtic "very reluctantly" granted him permission to talk to Leicester City.
Rodgers on brink of return to Premier League with Leicester
worldsoccertalk.com/2019/02/26/rodgers-on-brink-of-return-to-premier-league-with-leicester/
Rodgers on brink of return to Premier League with Leicester AFP February 26, 2019 AFP 1 Comment London (AFP) - Brendan Rodgers took a signficant step closer to a return to managing in the Premier League as Celtic "very reluctantly" granted him permission to talk to Leicester City.
Ex- Liverpool boss Rogers in sensational EPL return with
What Are Wolf Adaptations? Home Pets & Animals Mammals Wolves Wolves have several key adaptations to help them survive: they have strong hind limbs, feet with five specialized toes and sturdy teeth to facilitate survival in harsh conditions.
Canadian Wolves Are Being Airdropped Into Michigan For A
England may have qualified for the World Cup following Thursday's scruffy 1-0 win over Slovenia but manager Gareth Southgate admits they have a "hell of a lot of work to do" if they are to be
Daniel Sturridge to Arsenal: Gunners named - football.london
Mourinho heading back to the Bernabeu. Santiago Solari is set to be sacked imminently with Jose Mourinho to be confirmed as the next Real Madrid boss according to reports in Spain. Mourinho returning to the Bernabeu has been brewing for some time now.
Man Utd should sack Jose Mourinho for Real Madrid legend
Real Madrid put an end to a turbulent two weeks as Karim Benzema netted twice in a 4-1 win against Real Valladolid on Sunday night. Real boss Santi Solari came into the match under intense
David de Gea has had a difficult few weeks for Manchester United, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer still has faith in him. London, April 26: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is not contemplating taking Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea out of the firing line despite some high-profile errors in recent weeks.
Solskjaer reaffirms De Gea faith after Romero injury
But really, I'd love for the original post to spark a doubt when read. When people already see that minus something "comment score", they don't need to think about it, they just assume "this idiot is having a fit". Do you get my point? The hint helps understand, but it's often a sacrifice too. A bit like putting on a laugh track.
Are Your Spark Plugs Trying to Tell You Something?
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has said the club will trigger an extension clause in Toby Alderweireld's contract. The Belgium defender will now be contracted to Spurs until the summer of 2020, having been due to be a free agent at the end of the season. However, by taking up the year's
Spurs to trigger Alderweireld contract extension, says
Man Utd legends thrash Bayern in 1999 charity rematch. 6 days ago. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer tormented Bayern Munich once again as the Manchester United manager scored in his club's 1999 treble winners' reunion on Sunday. Twenty years after Solskjaer scored the last-gasp winner that helped
May 3, Reuters - Everton bolstered their chances of qualifying for next season's Europa League with a 2-0 win over Burnley in the Premier League on Friday. Marco Silva's side moved into eighth
Everton ease past Burnley to keep Europa League dream alive
Lacazette double helps Arsenal beat Valencia May 3rd, 2019 Reuters News Service Europa League , Football , Sport 0 comments Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang celebrates scoring their third goal
Lacazette double helps Arsenal beat Valencia 3-1 - Al Arabiya
Football: Bayern forward Sandro Wagner moves to China's Tianjin Teda after 'very attractive offer' "He had a very attractive offer from China and we met his request."
Bayern forward, Wagner, makes China move after 'very
Eden Hazard "deserves" a move to Real Madrid, says Emmanuel Petit, but his departure is going to leave "boring" Chelsea struggling to "cope without him".
Hazard confirms he is staying at Chelsea this month | Latest
Pele to have urinary tract surgery in Brazil: hospital | The
Shellshocked Madrid knocked out of Champions League by brilliant Ajax The humiliating defeat completed a miserable week for Real, who have monopolised the competition since 2016 and are now
Shell-shocked Real Madrid knocked out of UEFA Champions
0 comments:
Post a Comment