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Albirex Niigata (S) notched their first win of the season with a 2-0 triumph over 10-man Geylang International, powered by striker Shingo Nakano’s brace and the creative spark of new playmaker Takumi Yokohata.
Nakano, who was his side’s top scorer last term, opened his account with a goal either side of half-time after coming on as a substitute in his side’s league opener. But more than just goals, his combination play with the newly-inducted Yokohata was a key feature in Albirex’s first victory of the campaign.
“We just met recently, and we are combining really well. We will practise more, and it will get better,” Nakano said of his new attacking partner.
“Last game, I couldn’t score when I came on in the second half. These last two weeks I was thinking about how I was going to go into the next game, and I practised more. It paid off, and I am happy.”
Captaining the White Swans for the first time, the player of the match embraced the new responsibility, as he set his sights on bettering last season’s 23-goal haul with an eye on the Golden Boot that eluded him.
Head coach Keiji Shigetomi was thoroughly impressed by the offensive pair.
“In the last game, Shingo (Nakano) was injured, with some back pain. Now his condition is very good, and I’m satisfied with his performance today,” the Japanese tactician said. “Takumi (Yokohata)’s performance is also very good. And both of them have some chemistry with Takumi assisting Shingo. But, I think we still have to keep going and improve more.”
Another bright spark in his side was the mature performance by 17-year-old wingback Sim Jun Yen, whom Shigetomi coached previously in the Albirex youth team.
“In the last game and today, he had a very good performance and worked hard. So that’s why I decided to play him, and I want him to improve,” he added.
For Sim, the two consecutive starts were an important “milestone”.
“Every day is a step up. It’s important to look back at where I was and see how far I’ve come,” Sim said.
Having worked with Shigetomi in the youth team has also helped his quick transition to the league.
“I’ve adapted quite well to his playstyle. I think that has helped me to get to where I am today.”
With the first win out of the way, Shigetomi remained coy about his side’s title chances but hopes to mount a challenge with a focus on overall team improvement.
Meanwhile, this was Geylang’s second game in a row without finding the net, a shadow of their free-scoring campaign last year, where striker Tomoyuki Doi led their 96-goal charge to third place.
The Eagles fashioned a few openings but rarely threatened, with their best chance coming late on through Shodai Yokohama, whose effort was well denied by the alert Hassan Sunny.
On their finishing woes, head coach Noor Ali said, “It’s very worrying because you are creating chances but you don’t have a focal point to finish off your attacking play.”
Geylang’s night went from bad to worse when fullback Shakir Hamzah’s reckless stamp on two Albirex players was upgraded to a red card after a pitchside VAR review.
Reflecting on the defeat, Noor said, “The performance was not good. We were very slow from the start and didn’t get into the game. We created some chances in the first half and could have been quite even, but after we conceded in the last minute of the first half and early in the second, that gave the opponent more confidence going forward.”
Geylang will continue their search for a first goal and win of the season against Hougang United next Friday, while Albirex take on Tampines Rovers on Sunday, just days after the Stags parted ways with head coach Akbar Nawas in a shock move.
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