Kyoga Nakamura wants to ‘use frustration as energy’ to win titles at BG Tampines Rovers

SINGAPORE – Kyoga Nakamura has been in Singapore for over six years, but the lack of silverware has been frustrating for the diminutive midfielder.

He hopes that 2025 will bring better fortunes for him and his club, BG Tampines Rovers, who face Hougang United in their final Singapore Cup Group A fixture on March 29. The Stags need to avoid defeat by more than three goals to be certain of a semi-final spot, while the Cheetahs must draw to go through at the expense of Brunei DPMM.

The 28-year-old said: “It doesn’t matter if we draw, or we lose, (as long as we qualify), but it’s not our style. We just focus on what we can do, so it means we want to win.”

Nakamura was part of the Tampines squad who narrowly missed out on the Cup in 2022, when they lost 3-2 to Hougang in the final.

“Of course, now I can recall the moment we sat on the bench and (watched them as) they carried the trophy,” added Nakamura.

“Every year, we have a chance to become champions because we have talented players, a good coach and good staff. So it’s only momentum and motivation... And we want to use frustration as energy to get the next title.”

The Japan-born central midfielder first came to Singapore in 2019 and captained Albirex Niigata, but he did not win the Singapore Premier League – despite the White Swans claiming the title six times in eight years (2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023).

He then moved to the Stags in 2020 and won the Community Shield, but that has been the club’s sole silverware in recent years.

Nakamura, who was naturalised as a Singapore citizen in October 2024, said: “We talked among the senior players and we feel that we should bring back the trophy this year, because we have many national team players now, and we are not sure if (some) will leave next year. So this year we have a chance to become champions with a good squad and so we have to get this title.”

Despite the league trophy being seemingly out of reach for Tampines – they are seven points behind leaders Lion City Sailors, having played one game more – Nakamura said they will not give up.

He added: “It’s really tough for us to get the title for the league (now), but we’ll never stop and something (unexpected) might happen. Like when Sailors played against Sanfrecce Hiroshima (in the Asian Champions League Two), they lost, but suddenly it’s 3-0.

“We have a chance to become champions, (it’s) not 0 per cent yet, so we’ll just focus on how we finish the season.”

Nakamura recently returned from international duty, alongside the likes of club teammate Glenn Kweh after the 0-0 draw against Hong Kong in an Asian Cup qualifier on March 25.

Kweh said: “We’ve been playing together for about two seasons now, so we’ve got to know each other’s playing style.

“I came into Tampines knowing that there’s a lot of quality here, as a club, always challenging for the title and the cup. Coming here, my goal was to win the title and the cup and that hasn’t changed.”

Noting the key roles the duo play in Tampines’ trophy hunt, coach Gavin Lee said: “These two boys are two characters where you get nothing less than 100 per cent from... They are Mr Consistent and their national call-ups are recognition of their hard work and hopefully one day, they will get the successes that they dream of.”

Ahead of the clash, Hougang coach Robert Eziakor said: “The Singapore Cup is a different match altogether, and Tampines are undoubtedly a top team in the league, possessing numerous qualities.

“We will approach the match with utmost caution and discipline, knowing that both teams will undoubtedly produce an exhilarating game.”

Meanwhile, in Group A’s dead rubber match on March 28, the Young Lions thrashed Albirex Niigata 7-1, courtesy of four goals from Kaisei Ogawa, a brace from Kan Kobayashi and a goal from Amir Syafiz. The White Swans scored through Daniel Goh.

BG Pathum United v Lion City Sailors (March 30, 8.30pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)

Both teams have already qualified for the semi-finals, but top spot in Group B is up for grabs. The second-placed Thai team have an uphill task against a Sailors side who are unbeaten in 11 games in all competitions.