Versatile defender Milos Zlatkovic steps up at both ends of the pitch to help Tampines win 3-0

SINGAPORE – BG Tampines Rovers’ Milos Zlatkovic may be listed as a defender on the team sheet, but watching him in action reveals that he offers much more to the Stags.

On Oct 29, the Serb made significant contributions at both ends of the pitch, scoring the second goal and helping secure a clean sheet as Tampines recorded a 3-0 win over eastern derby rivals Geylang International in the Singapore Premier League at Jalan Besar Stadium.

The victory ended the Stags’ six-match winless streak in the league and moved them within three points of table toppers Lion City Sailors, who have a game in hand.

Since joining Tampines in 2023, Zlatkovic has played at left-back and in the heart of the Stags’ defence but has often stepped into central midfield when his team are in possession, a role that he once again fulfilled admirably to help the Stags dominate the middle of the park against the Eagles.

His movements are similar to the tactics employed by Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, where centre-back John Stones often slots into midfield to help City gain a numerical advantage in attack.

However, it was the clean sheet – against the league’s top-scoring side – that pleased the 27-year-old the most, given that it was the team’s first in seven SPL matches.

Zlatkovic, whose goal was his fourth of the season, said: “The most important thing about today is the win, clean sheet second and then the goal is just a bonus. We have not won for a few matches even though we were playing well, so it was frustrating for us but today we definitely deserved this win.”

On his role in the team, the Serb said it was not new to him, as he had played in midfield before for Maltese side Balzan.

He added: “In this team, there are many players who can play in a few different positions. I am just one of them. Even if I have to play in a few positions in one match, it is not tiring because our tactics allow us to keep the ball. I enjoy playing for this team a lot.”

Stags coach Gavin Lee praised the defender’s contributions, saying: “For the way we want to play, Milos fits us very well. And I’m just pleased with how he has taken on more responsibilities but, at the same time, continued to do his job well. Players like him make football look very easy.”

On his team’s win, Lee said he was delighted for his charges and added: “We went through a tough period and stuck together. We are very pleased with the win... but this is just one game, we need to now focus on what is next.”

Newly minted Singaporean Kyoga Nakamura, 28, gave the Stags the lead in the 35th minute. The Japan-born midfielder, who attained his Singapore citizenship on Oct 25, exchanged passes with Seia Kunori before applying a smart finish in the box.

In the 64th minute, Zlatkovic got on the end of a corner to head in the Stags’ second goal before Nakamura helped put the icing on the cake in the 82nd minute when his perfectly timed pass found substitute Taufik Suparno to make it 3-0.

Geylang coach Noor Ali rued his team’s inability to create enough chances, saying: “Tampines were very compact and, when they had their chances, they took it well.”

Over at the Jurong East Stadium, Albirex Niigata staged a late comeback to defeat Hougang United 2-1 for their fourth consecutive win.

Stjepan Plazonja opened the scoring for the Cheetahs in the 42nd minute, but the White Swans equalised in the 85th minute through Yohei Otake before Shingo Nakano bagged a stoppage-time winner via a penalty.

Analysis

Tampines returned to winning ways by going back to basics. While they have often employed a more expansive style, Lee sacrificed striker Boris Kopitovic, dropping him from the starting line-up, and relied on a deeper defence line that helped pack the midfield and limit the space for Geylang.

It helped yield a win and a clean sheet in the process.