Business As Usual For Noh's Tampines

New coach keeps faith with predecessor Akbar's formula to see off Tg Pagar 3-0

- David Lee

Despite having just a few days to prepare for his first game as BG Tampines Rovers head coach, Noh Rahman got off to a winning start on Sept 13, when the Stags posted a comfortable 3-0 Singapore Premier League win over Tanjong Pagar United at the Jurong East Stadium.

The 45-year-old was pleased to see his team showing no negativity from the coaching changes - they have also had to work with Gavin Lee and Akbar Nawas - in the last four months.

He told The Sunday Times: "I'm very pleased with the performance. We found it a little bit difficult to get the first goal, but we maintained our actions and got the breakthrough.

"The players are professional enough (to deal with the coaching changes), and it's important to stay focused on our performances on the pitch. We definitely can build on this, and the AFC Champions League Two and Asean Club Championship matches will actually help us improve.

"We have the players and, with the new imports adapting well, I'm sure we will have a good go at challenging for the league title."

The former Lion, who stepped up from his previous roles as Tampines assistant coach and head of youth development, did not rock the boat as he stuck with the 4-2-3-1 system used by his predecessor Akbar.