BG Tampines Rovers winger Faris Ramli finds his form again after being sidelined by injury

SINGAPORE – Faris Ramli was in fine form when a groin injury at the end of 2024 halted his momentum.

Despite being cleared for his return in February after missing four games, the Singapore international was not at 100 per cent. But the BG Tampines Rovers winger pushed through as he was determined to set an example for his younger teammates.

While he has not played a full match since, the forward has hit a purple patch recently, contributing four goals and two assists in his last three games as the Stags went on a five-game winning run.

The 32-year-old’s return to form is timely as Tampines meet BG Pathum United in the first leg of their Singapore Cup semi-final at the Jalan Besar Stadium on April 16 (7.45pm).

Tampines coach Gavin Lee is only too pleased to have Faris firing again, describing him as an integral part of the team.

He said: “It’s great that despite not being 100 per cent, he’s contributed quite a few goals and assists, but hopefully we will get him even closer to when he ended up last year. Because once you get Faris back to those levels, we are a much stronger team, especially going into the last few games of the season.”

Faris, who cut a frustrated figure while being sidelined, is raring to go against Pathum as the Stags push for silverware.

He said: “In the blink of an eye, it’s the semi-final against BG, so it couldn’t be more exciting than this. For me, I just need to focus on myself and to be heading into this game in high spirits with the team.”

Before the mid-season break for the Asean Championship, he had registered eight goals and nine assists for Tampines, helping them go top of the Singapore Premier League (SPL).

While he continued playing despite picking up the injury late in Singapore’s Asean campaign, the pain got worse after the Republic’s semi-final exit in late December, forcing him to be sidelined.

With Faris out, coupled with the departure of talismanic hitman Boris Kopitovic – who had netted 16 SPL goals before joining Indonesian Liga 1 side Bali United in January – the Stags took some time to rediscover their rhythm.

They resumed the season in January with a 4-2 defeat by Hougang United, and did not have the best start in the Singapore Cup, drawing 1-1 with Brunei DPMM in their opener before bouncing back to beat Albirex Niigata 2-1.

While Tampines have slipped to second in the SPL, five points behind Lion City Sailors who have a game in hand, they sealed their semi-final spot by topping Group A in the cup after thrashing Hougang 5-1 on March 29, with Faris scoring a double.

Lee expects a tough clash against Pathum, made even more challenging by the uncertainty over which players will feature in the Thai side’s line-up.

The Rabbits, who are third in the 16-team Thai League 1 after a 2-1 win over leaders Buriram United on April 12, have often tweaked their line-up for the Singapore Cup. They finished second in Group B after two wins and two draws.

Lee added: “But ultimately it’s not really about them – it’s about the occasion, it’s about the match, it’s about the semi-final... That in itself is the bigger target, and so we should continue to do what we normally do – prepare 100 per cent and go out there aiming for a top performance as we usually try to. Then, hopefully, the result is in our favour.”

Brunei DPMM v Lion City Sailors (April 22, 7.45pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)

The Sailors remain on track to secure a treble as they currently lead the SPL and head into the second leg of their Asian Champions League Two semi-final against hosts Sydney FC on April 16 with a 2-0 advantage.

They will meet Group A runners-up DPMM in the semi-finals of the Singapore Cup at the Jalan Besar Stadium after topping Group B with three wins and a draw.

The Sailors were held to a goal-less draw when they hosted DPMM in an SPL game on April 12 and this could turn out to be another closely contested affair.

The second leg for both semi-finals will take place four days before the May 31 final at Jalan Besar Stadium.