Young Lions urged to step up after star striker's exit

To fill the large void left by goal machine Itsuki Enomoto, Young Lions interim coach Fadzuhasny Juraimi has urged his charges to step up and provide a collective solution.

- Melvyn Teoh

The Japanese forward's departure was a blow to the developmental side. He had scored 13 of their 31 goals in 19 Singapore Premier League (SPL) games before joining BG Tampines Rovers in early January.

Fadzuhasny, who took over from Nazri Nasir on Jan 16, said: "With Itsuki going to Tampines, the back-room staff and I discussed and we planned what is best moving forward, how we want to approach the games, how we can work together to combine to create scoring chances.

"We fielded Amir (Syafiz) in his position and throughout the three games that he played so far, I think he did well, scoring two goals.

"I don't depend only on him, the rest of the players also need to step up to score goals.

"It has got to be a collective effort."

Since Enomoto left, three other Young Lions have also got on the score sheet as they drew 1-1 with Tanjong Pagar United, beat fourth-placed Balestier Khalsa 3-2 and lost 5-1 to second-placed Tampines.

Besides Amir, who scored against Balestier and Tampines, midfielders Kaisei Ogawa, Kan Kobayashi and Ethan Pinto also found the net.