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BG Tampines Rovers extended their perfect start in the AFC Asian Champions League Two, masterminding a 2-1 victory over Thai side BG Pathum in a tight contest.
The result, coming on the back of a 3-0 away win over Kaya in September, lifted them to the top of their group, edging South Korea’s Pohang Steelers on goal difference.
“It’s a good result for us. In the first half, we created more chances. We struggled a little bit in the second half to retain the ball, which caused us trouble in terms of getting into the game,” Tampines head coach Noh Rahman said. “Credit to the boys for sticking together to the end, that’s something that I like to see as well.
Coming up against the 2023/24 Thai League Cup champions, Noh was pleased with how his side handled the challenge.
“We spoke about trusting our abilities, and tonight I thought the boys showed that. They stuck together and followed the game plan,” he said. “In this competition, the margin between teams is so small. We are happy that the players capitalised on the chances that we created. And then at the end of the game, it’s about defending together as a team.”
The match started evenly with neither side creating any clear chances until the 42nd minute.
A clever reverse pass from Glenn Kweh released Koya Kazama down the right wing, and the Japanese midfielder floated a teasing cross to the far post, where Trent Buhagiar met it with a diving header to notch his third goal of the ACL2 campaign.
“Trent’s ability and importance to the team is massive. You can see his quality and ability through the two games he has played in this competition, so we are not really surprised. But, we hope he can continue to show us more and add more quality to the team,” Noh said of the Maltese winger, who previously racked up seven goals in 12 AFC Asian Champions League matches for Sydney FC.
Rovers nearly doubled their lead before the break when Hide Higashikawa broke free on the right, but his low effort fizzed narrowly past the far post.
But the Japanese striker would finally open his ACL2 account in the 56th minute, capitalising on a fumble from Pathum goalkeeper Slavisa Bogdanovic off Kozama’s corner to slot home from close range.
“I didn’t expect to be playing in such a big tournament like the ACL2. But this goal is very important for me, and I hope it can help me build a good career,” Higashikawa said of his maiden continental goal.
Pathum star man Chanathip Songkrasin came on in the second half and sparked the visitors into life, with Tampines forced onto the back foot as they absorbed wave after wave of pressure.
In the 68th minute, substitute Matheus Fornazari came close with a looping header but it was skilfully tipped over by Tampines keeper Syazwan Buhari.
Syazwan was called into action once more eight minutes later when Singapore international Jordan Emaviwe’s header looked destined for the back of the net, but the 33-year-old was alert to the danger, backpedalling to claw it away.
But Chanathip was not to be denied, deftly skipping past Kazama before unleashing a strike that left Syazwan stunned, conjured seemingly out of nothing.
The Thai’s 86th-minute strike set up a nervy finish for both sides, but the hosts held firm to see out the result.
Pathum head coach Supachai Komsilp could not hide his frustration with his side’s display.
“The most disappointing thing wasn’t just the result, but the players’ mentality. It felt like they were a bit tired, a bit timid, and not playing the way we know they can,” he said.
“It’s different when you play away. The players have to motivate each other. It has to be this way from the start of the match and not only after conceding,” the Thai added in a chastising assessment of his team.
The Rabbits will return to Thailand to play league leaders Buriram and Ayutthaya United before an Oct 23 clash against Kaya while the Stags will face Balestier Khalsa in the SIngapore Premier League before taking on Pohang at home.
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