Tan Impressed By Fans After Starting In Debut

Just a day after Singapore celebrated its diamond jubilee, a Lionesses gem made her first strides in top-tier Japanese professional football.

- Deepanraj Ganesan

Danelle Tan, 20, debuted in Japan's top-tier Women Empowerment (WE) League on Aug 10 after being handed a start by Nippon TV Tokyo Verdy Beleza against International Athletic Club Kobe Leonessa in the club's season opener.

But it turned out to be a losing debut for the Singapore forward with the defending WE League champions going down 2-0 in the away fixture in front of 2,453 fans.

The hosts scored in the 63rd and 88th minutes as it rained down on the 45,000-capacity Kobe Universiade Memorial Stadium.

"It was obviously not the result we wanted, but I'm really happy to have made my debut for Beleza," said Tan, who played 71 minutes before she was substituted by Japan international Moka Hiwatari.

"I think I've settled down really well, so I'm glad I was able to hit the ground running and start in the season opener. I think it was a very even game. Both sides had plenty of chances and the score could very easily have been 2-0 to us.

"But that's football, you don't take your chances and the other team does and the game slips through your fingers."