Dylan Fox becoming an assured presence in the BG Tampines Rovers’ box

SINGAPORE – During his three seasons in the Indian Super League, he was known as the Fox in the box.

But instead of being a predatory striker, Dylan Fox is a defender who earned the moniker for his aerial prowess and crucial clearances in his own penalty area.

Come Feb 26, the new BG Tampines Rovers centre-back’s defensive qualities will come in handy when the second-placed Stags attempt to rein in high-flying Singapore Premier League (SPL) leaders Lion City Sailors at the Bishan Stadium (7.45pm).

For someone who has played in blistering 40 deg C weather in India and below freezing point in Finland, Fox is confident he can stay cool and turn on the heat when required.

With a disarming smile, the 30-year-old told The Straits Times: “I’m strong in my duels, vocal and consistent and I’m a leader in my actions.

“It’s like a switch and how some people get the ‘white line fever’ and become a different person on the pitch.

“I’m soft-spoken now, but if someone doesn’t do something I want them to do in the game, I’ll let them know. That’s how a centre-back should be.”

The 1.86m defender was born in Northern Ireland, but followed his Australian mother Down Under when he was six and grew up playing semi-professional football in the National Premier Leagues in New South Wales, evolving from a defensive midfielder into a central defender.

While trials in England did not work out, he made his professional debut with A-League side Wellington Phoenix in 2015 and was the club’s Players’ Player of the Year for the 2017-18 season.

He then went to South Korea’s Anyang, A-League team Central Coast Mariners, Indian teams NorthEast United, Goa and Jamshedpur, and Finland’s Lahti before signing for Tampines in January.

Fox had a rough introduction to the SPL in a controversial 4-2 loss to Hougang United, then recovered well to help his team to three wins and a draw, including one clean sheet, in the league and Singapore Cup.

But the Sailors, who are unbeaten in their last 10 league games with eight wins and 37 goals, represent their biggest test in a high-stakes match.

As the third of four rounds of the nine-team league comes to a close, Tampines have 48 points from 23 games, six fewer than the Sailors, who have a game in hand. Another defeat could deal a fatal blow to the Stags’ title hopes.

Fox said: “It feels like we have a good momentum going into this game.

“We are taking it game by game like each game is a final, but we don’t look at it as do-or-die because many other things can happen after this for the Sailors. We know what’s ahead of us and we just want to get the job done.”

While Tampines coach Gavin Lee understands that keeping clean sheets takes a team effort, he knows an influential leader at the back can have a big impact on the side’s morale and performance.

They were top after 11 games with nine wins and two draws, including a stunning 5-0 win over the Sailors at the Bishan Stadium in July 2024, but lost their grip after a six-match winless run, during which they leaked 13 goals.

With a laugh, Lee said: “I hate conceding goals more than people think, which explains why we went out for another defender. We know we can score goals, so it’s about conceding fewer to be there in the race.

“Dylan provides extra quality at the back and he is a loud personality who helps the team on and off the pitch.

“Against the Sailors, we have to be at 100 per cent on and off the ball because they have improved in their build-up.

“We know the quality of Maxime Lestienne, Bart Ramselaar, Lennart Thy and Shawal Anuar, so our ability to defend the spaces behind that they like (to exploit) would be very important. We also need to try to keep them out of possession for as long as possible.

“Every time we play them is obviously a very good chance to close the gap, but our job now is not to make things bigger than it is. This is just another game and another three points we need to close and bring home.”

Brunei DPMM v Hougang United (Feb 26, Jalan Besar Stadium, 7.45pm)

The Bruneian side, with five straight SPL losses, run into a resurgent Hougang outfit who are unbeaten in three league games under interim coach Robert Eziakor. But the loss of defender Jovan Mugosa, who tore his anterior cruciate ligament on Feb 22, will be a blow to the Cheetahs.

Albirex Niigata v Balestier Khalsa (Feb 27, Jurong East Stadium, 7.45pm)

By their lofty standards, defending champions Albirex have not had the best of seasons. While they can further consolidate fourth position with a third victory over Balestier this season, the Tigers always have goals in them and can also leapfrog into fourth with a win.

Geylang International v Tanjong Pagar United (Feb 27, Jalan Besar Stadium, 7.45pm)

Geylang, in third, will need to end their four-match winless run in all competitions if they hope to close the gap on Tampines. But bottom side Tanjong Pagar appear rejuvenated under interim coach Noh Alam Shah, winning four points from their last four league games.