Albirex wounded but stay in title hunt

Albirex Niigata leapfrogged the Lion City Sailors to reclaim top spot in the Singapore Premier League table after a 1-0 win over the Young Lions yesterday, but their bid to retain their title has been made more challenging with an injury-hit front line.

The White Swans, who were already without injured forwards Kiyoshiro Tsuboi, Fumiya Suzuki and Fairoz Hasan, saw their crisis worsen as midfielder Nicky Melvin Singh came off the pitch at Jalan Besar Stadium in the 32nd minute with a thigh injury. The 19-year-old's condition will be assessed at the hospital today.

With five more games to go, they have to fend off the Lion City Sailors, who are just three points behind with a game in hand.

Albirex coach Keiji Shigetomi admitted that the club's injury woes were concerning as the title race goes down to the wire.

He said: "That (injuries) can happen and I accept it. We have to prepare well to play the same football no matter who we play."

Up against bottom dwellers Young Lions, Albirex took an early lead in the third minute courtesy of a penalty by Ryosuke Nagasawa after Ong Yu En was brought down by Syahrul Sazali in the box.

While the hosts began piling on the pressure with a slew of chances, including an effort in the 17th minute by forward Ilhan Fandi that was cleared off the line by Reo Kunimoto, the Young Lions could not convert as Albirex held on for the 1-0 win.

But Shigetomi will be expecting more from his side the next time, saying: "Young Lions played better than us. They were really intense and we could not steal their ball in this match. But we still have five matches and we have to focus on the remaining games."

Young Lions coach Philippe Aw lauded his charges for another impressive showing. Since the season restarted in July after the international break, they have enjoyed a decent run, bagging their first two wins of the season, both over Balestier Khalsa, a draw with Tanjong Pagar United and two narrow losses to Hougang and Albirex.

Aw said: "We had good ball retention and created chances which we didn't put away. There were good moments as well in our pressing game, the boys matched Albirex's work rate and took the game to them."

Putting his side's progress down to the players' willingness to learn and a positive team culture, he added: "The processes we have established are important which means building a foundation first before adding on to it. We have been methodical in our approach."

P W D L F A Pts

1 Albirex 16 11 4 1 36 14 37

2 Sailors 15 10 4 1 41 16 34

3 Hougang 16 9 2 5 36 29 29

4 Tampines 14 6 3 5 38 31 21

5 Tg Pagar 16 4 4 8 27 40 16

6 Balestier 16 3 4 9 29 39 13

7 Geylang 15 4 1 10 24 39 13

8 Young Lions 16 2 4 10 17 40 10