New signing Itsuki Enomoto confident that he can fill Boris Kopitovic’s boots at BG Tampines Rovers

SINGAPORE – Stepping into the enormous boots of a club’s all-time record goalscorer would sound like a daunting task, but BG Tampines Rovers’ new forward Itsuki Enomoto is unfazed by the challenge.

The 24-year-old Japanese was prised from the Young Lions to replace Montenegrin goal machine Boris Kopitovic, who joined two-time Indonesian Liga 1 champions Bali United after writing himself into the Stags’ record books with 110 goals in 138 matches.

Enomoto is not losing sleep over the task at hand and has backed himself to be a success in black and yellow.

When asked if he could replace Kopitovic, who scored 16 goals in 20 Singapore Premier League (SPL) games this season, Enomoto replied through a translator: “I think he’s a great player and I respect him, but I promise I’ll score more goals (this season).”

Asked to explain his confidence, Enomoto, who netted 13 goals in 19 matches for developmental side Young Lions, added: “I think I have more speed and better technique. And I will work very hard. I thought this was a team that could win (titles) and I could contribute to that.

“I think there will be more attacks and more variations than when I was at Young Lions, so I think I’ll score more goals (here).”

Enomoto will hope for a memorable debut with the Stags on Feb 1, when they begin their Singapore Cup campaign against Group A opponents Brunei DPMM at the Jalan Besar Stadium at 6pm.

The Zlatan Ibrahimovic fan, who came to Singapore from J3 League outfit Matsumoto Yamaga, has ambitions to play in Europe and sees the SPL as a stepping stone, where he could also improve his English.

Tampines coach Gavin Lee explained that they snapped up Enomoto as he has already proven himself in his first SPL season.

Lee added: “Itsuki and Boris offer different qualities. Itsuki has the ability to get in behind opposition defences... and our job is to help him maximise his qualities.”

Lee, who led the Stags to the 2019 Cup, said they are hoping to go as far as possible in the knockout competition, which represents their most realistic chance for silverware this season.

The Stags are second in the nine-team SPL, but are six points behind leaders Lion City Sailors despite having played a game more.

Meanwhile, DPMM coach Jamie McAllister is looking to reverse his side’s slump. They have lost all three of their SPL matches in 2025, conceding nine goals.

He said: “The results have been disappointing, but I think there have been several positives. We looked at the goals we have conceded recently and a lot of them came as a result of individual errors. Those moments cost us and that is where we want to do better.”

Albirex Niigata, who host 2023 finalists Hougang United at Jurong East on the same day, and the Young Lions are Group A’s other teams.

Thailand’s BG Pathum United, winners of the tournament in 2010, are in Group B alongside defending champions Sailors, Geylang International, Balestier Khalsa and Tanjong Pagar United.

Albirex Niigata v Hougang United (Feb 1, 6pm, Jurong East Stadium)

Albirex will hope to make a winning start as they aim to become five-time winners of the Singapore Cup, while Hougang could make it three wins out of three under interim coach Robert Eziakor.

Geylang International v Balestier Khalsa (Feb 2, 6pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)

There is often a flurry of goals when these two teams meet, with their three encounters in 2024 producing 17 goals.

But the Tigers will want to turn the tide against the Eagles after failing to secure a win in any of those matches.

Tanjong Pagar United v BG Pathum United (Feb 2, Jurong East Stadium)

Under interim coach Noh Alam Shah, Tanjong Pagar notched their first victory in 14 matches, but a tough test is expected against BG Pathum, who are fifth in the 16-team Thai League 1.

The Rabbits have named a 25-man Cup squad, which includes Singaporean forwards Ikhsan and Ilhan Fandi and Thai star midfielder Chanathip Songkrasin, but they also have a league match scheduled on Feb 1.