Preview:SAFFC vs Balestier Khalsa

Bok: We’ve got our Warriors back

Mohd Sham
info@sleague.com

Crisis? What crisis?

Three defeats in a row made for an unpleasant, unfamiliar taste in the mouth for SAFFC last month, but May has brought a first point in the Asian Champions League and a morale-boosting come-from-behind win over title rivals Tampines Rovers.

Ahead of Thursday’s clash with Balestier Khalsa, when they can retake the S.League summit with a win, coach Richard Bok credited the upswing in his team’s fortunes to a return to fundamentals.

The wheels of the Warriors’ charge were threatening to come off following a disastrous week on all fronts in April. First they were humbled 5-0 by Kashima Antlers in the ACL, before falling 1-2 to title pretenders DPMM FC for their third loss in the league this term.

Bok’s side then relinquished their hold on the RHB Singapore Cup with a tame 1-2 defeat against Geylang United.

But a 1-1 draw against Shanghai Shenhua, when they were denied a win only by a last-minute Shanghai equaliser, and last week’s 4-2 win over Tampines Rovers after they were 0-2 down has put a much rosier cast on the Warriors.

“We went back to basics such as doing things simple and playing as a team again,” Bok explained.

“Football is a team game and we need everyone to be a cohesive unit and work hard and that’s exactly what we have been doing again.

“Morale is high and basically, we put in a very good team effort against Shanghai and we brought that into the Tampines match which we did very well.”

Bok has squashed any notion of complacency creeping into his side ahead of their clash against the bottom basement Tigers, instead harping on the need to remain patient and focused against a Balestier outfit likely to play a stifling game.

“The boys need to go in and not be complacent against a Balestier team who are young but very hardworking. They like to put numbers at the back but we must make sure we adopt a patient approach and not get frustrated.

“If players become frustrated, they would try to do things on their own so we must be simple, effective and take advantage of any chances that come our way.

“Besides, we also want to collect three points and try to stretch our lead at the top as well as take a good result with us when we go to Korea to play Suwon Samsung Bluewings in the ACL.”

His counterpart, Tigers coach Nasaruddin Jalil, insisted that the overall quality of his opponents was never in question despite their three-match losing spell.

“There’s no difference in terms of the past and now and they have an experienced team,” he commented.

“SAFFC have kept the same squad and they are not getting any weaker but maybe defensive lapses have been costing them in their past few matches.”

Nasaruddin also admitted that his youthful charges have a tall order going up against the current champions.

“The gap between SAFFC and us is like maybe between SAFFC and Shanghai in the ACL in terms of quality and experience.

“Sure there’s a big difference between us but it is my job to cut the gap and make sure we are as competitive as possible.”

The Tigers honcho maintained that they would not be heading to the Warriors’ Arena with a defensive mentality.

“We have to strike a balance between whether we want to push them or defend what we have, so we will have to assess the situation,” he added.

“But we have to close them down so that they can’t play their game, and we did that against Albirex who are a young and athletic side, and we drew 2-2 with them.

“So if we can do the same against SAFFC, maybe we can take something from the game.

“We have been playing together as a team for only two years and SAFFC have been playing together since day one, but if we are able to improve our stability in defence and play all our foreigners together, then it would be good for us.”

Strangely enough, Nasaruddin insisted that he would like the Warriors to field a full strength line up and not tinker with their starting eleven.

“There have been times when teams like Home United haven’t fielded full teams, but even their reserves consist of full internationals!

“But I always tell my players it’s a good challenge to prove ourselves against the best, and SAFFC have always been good fielding a strong team.

“We always want teams to field their strongest team and have a competitive match.”

The Tigers have been shorn of American defender Seth Galloway, who misses out with an ankle injury, while Julio Eduardo is still a long-term absentee and Rhysh Roshan Rai sits this game out through suspension.