Tanjong Pagar United VS Albirex Niigata
16 July 2013
Queenstown Stadium

Tanjong Pagar United look set to overcome their frustrations of dropping vital points by unleashing full force on visitors Albirex Niigata.

However, that seems easier said than done with the team needing to battle to overcome fatigue and some minor injuries.

On-field skipper Walid Lounis suffered a deep gash above his left eye duing their 1-1 stalemate with DPMM FC, following a collision with one of their players.

However, that little cut shall not be enough to deter the Jaguars’ spirit as they seek to close out the regular season on a high.

Over at the Swans’ nest, home comforts have not offereed much respite after two home bankers brought only one point out of six.

A tepid, come-from-behind 1-1 draw against Courts Young Lions was followed by the shock 1-0 reverse to Woodlands Wellington.

What looked to be a concerted call to push for the title as stated by head coach Koichi Sugiyama in the local press, was dampened by the harsh reality of recent results.

In fact, Tampines Rovers stand to profit immensely with their four-point lead at the top of the S.League table.

Hence, it is both up to Tanjong Pagar and Albirex to lap it up with te pacesetters, even as the likes of Home United and Woodlands Wellington are surging up the top half.

A series of potential matchups could prove the deciding factors, with Monsef Zerka up against Shuhei Hotta, Hafiz Nor versus Shingo Suzuki, and Anthony Aymard coming face-to-face with Kazuki Sakamoto.

That said, there can only be one winner with the Jaguars expect to tough it out against a side they drew 1-1 with earlier in April, in their own iconic and sentimental arena of Queenstown Stadium.

Kickoff is at 8pm on Tuesday evening.

Ong Jiing Yih
Club Journaist
Tanjong Pagar United FC