'TIRED' TAMPINES STAY UNBEATEN

Despite playing 72hr earlier, leaders beat champs Albirex for 8th win in 10 games

-  Ervin Ang

Just a few months ago, Albirex Niigata against BG Tampines Rovers would have been a blockbuster Singapore Premier League (SPL) clash among two title contenders.

Instead, on July 27, it was a onesided affair for league leaders Tampines as they romped to a 4-2 victory over bottom side Albirex at the Jurong East Stadium.

The Stags showed no signs of fatigue, resting key wingers Faris Ramli and Glenn Kweh after an energy-sapping 2-2 draw with Geylang International just 72 hours earlier.

Coach Gavin Lee said: "I'm really pleased with the win today. We couldn't do anything in training. We only had two or three days to prepare. That was the challenge with many tired bodies.

"We knew we couldn't go out there and put pressure like we usually do, we had to take a little risk and defend closer to the box.

"Albirex were quite decent at the end but we rather defend together deep than press half-heartedly"