Weary Warriors look ahead to Albirex test

Fabius Chen
info@sleague.com

In the space of a weekend, Great Eastern-YEO’s S.League big boys Home United and SAFFC experienced first-hand the potential pitfalls of their continental commitments.

Operating on three days’ rest, both sides slumped to defeats that would have raised a few eyebrows around the league.

On Saturday, Albirex Niigata (Singapore) profited from Home’s inability to find a way past goalkeeper Yoshito Matsushita, winning their tie at Jurong East Stadium by a solitary goal.

Barely 24 hours later, defending champions SAFFC took a four-game winning streak and a two-nil lead into the half-time break at home to Woodlands Wellington, only to capitulate in the second-half and finish on the wrong end of a 3-2 scoreline.

Ahead of hosting the White Swans at Choa Chu Kang Stadium on Thursday, Warriors coach Richard Bok called on his side to bounce back from Sunday’s loss.

“It was a total collapse against Woodlands but we cannot look back. Hopefully, the players will show their character and give a better performance,” he said.

Reflecting on Sunday’s game, SAFFC captain Aleksandar Duric recalled: “The second half was a real struggle; we simply lost concentration.”

Duric, last season’s top scorer, began 2009 in electrifying form with three goals in SAFFC’s first two games but the goals have dried up for him since. It may a good thing for the Warriors, then, that John Wilkinson has hit a purple patch in terms of goalscoring.

National team midfielder Wilkinson has been in Duric-esque form, scoring in each of his side’s last four games.

“I’m happy as long as we win, no matter who scores the goals,” Duric said of his mini goal-drought.

English-born Wilkinson, who described Sunday’s second-half performance as an “implosion”, refused to attribute it to a lack of rest.

He stressed: “It wouldn’t be being honest with ourselves if we blamed it on fatigue.

“We cannot expect to play well or win all the time; the most important thing is how we react after a poor result.”

Wilkinson’s words were echoed by opposition club manager Bogdan Brasoveanu.

“Players are not machines. SAFFC may have their off-days but they are a big club with good players and will be especially focused after a loss,” he commented.

“But as long as our players work hard, show fighting spirit and play according to plan, we have a chance of winning.”

Brasoveanu’s Albirex side has enjoyed a slight reversal of fortunes of late, winning their last two games after tasting defeat in their first three.

Asked about SAFFC and Home’s Asian commitments, he continued: “Having to play two games a week might be a disadvantage for them but they have enough fringe players who can perform.”

His comment about SAFFC’s squad depth, however, has been met with evidence to the contrary.

Having conceded the equaliser to Woodlands, Warriors coach Bok could only call on defender Razaleigh Khalik in a containment exercise that ultimately failed.

“We have a small squad and with Ahmad Latiff Khamarudin suspended, we were short of attacking players,” Bok explained.

Wilkinson added: “We have a fantastic first XI but little depth beyond that.”

It is good news for Warriors fans, then, that their side should be at full strength for Thursday’s clash and that their skipper Duric is simply raring to go.

“I think we can bounce back and play the way we usually play,” he declared.