Not quite 1996 but still a great start to new S.League season

SINGAPORE — In 1996, close to 30,000 spectators thronged the old National Stadium to watch Fandi Ahmad’s Geylang United take on V Sundramoorthy’s Woodlands Wellington in the final match of the Tiger Beer series of the inaugural season of the S.League.

It was not quite the same on Sunday evening (Feb 26)  at the new National Stadium, but the 15,480 who turned up at the new National Stadium to watch Albirex Niigata (S) defeat Tampines Rovers 2-1 in the Great Eastern Community Shield was a refreshing sight nonetheless.

The first S.League game to ever be staged at the venue since it opened in June 2014, the attendance is one of the highest in recent memory and a boost following lacklustre crowds for years.

(Photo: Jason Quah/TODAY)

In 2012, the official average S.League attendance hit a historic low of 876 spectators. Figures in subsequent seasons have hovered around 1,000, though a record 3,551 witnessed Jermain Pennant’s Tampines play Home United in one game last year.

Football fan Imran Khan admitted his surprise at the turnout and believes more league games should be played at the National Stadium.

“While it was quiet at times, overall the atmosphere was pretty decent and enjoyable,” the 27-year-old told TODAY.

“There were many youngsters, which was nice to see. Quite a few S.League players were among the fans and were obliging to picture requests, like (Geylang and Singapore winger) Gabriel Quak.

“I was expecting (the crowd to be) something close to 10,000 to be honest, so I was definitely surprised when it was announced as 15,500.   

“The National Stadium is a top-notch facility and I think having big-name games like derbies and top-of-the-table clashes would definitely help draw crowds.”

That seems to be the case, with 11,875 fans showing up for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup group clash between Tampines and Selangor FA last May at the same venue.

Albirex head coach Kazuaki Yoshinaga added: “I would like to thank… those who are involved in this match for making it a success with so many spectators.”

(Photo: Jason Quah/TODAY)

He watched his new club emerge on top too, in a clash that saw Tampines suffer an extraordinary three red cards and a missed penalty.

Yasir Hanapi was dismissed for a second yellow card in the 64th minute, while Madhu Mohana and Ismadi Mukhtar were given straight reds on 88 and 92 minutes respectively.

“I don’t want to say anything about the referee”, said Tampines head coach Juergen Raab after the game. “I will watch the replays to see whether it was the right decision.”

Yoshinaga said: “When we attacked them a lot, I think their players felt more stressed and that resulted in more fouls; whether the cards were deserved, I think you can decide for yourself.”

(Photo: Jason Quah/TODAY)

The win means that Albirex have taken three points as the game also doubled as a league fixture. But the Stags were the ones who took the lead against the run of play on 36 minutes, as Ryutaro Megumi headed in Ivan Dzoni’s cross for his first Tampines goal.

Kento Nagasaki missed a golden chance to draw Albirex level three minutes after the break, before referee Sukhbir Singh stole the show.

He gave Tampines a penalty near the hour mark after Daniel Bennett was adjudged to have been fouled, which was converted by Dzoni. However, Sukhbir ordered a retake to the bemusement of the Croatian, whose second attempt crashed off the post.

That was an “important juncture” in the match according to Yoshinaga, as his side took full advantage of their numerical superiority.

(Photo: Jason Quah/TODAY)

Substitute Shoichiro Sakamoto scored twice within eight minutes, finishing off a fine team move on 74 minutes before poking in a cross on 82 minutes to turn the tables.

“The important thing is the win and that we won a title,” said Yoshinaga, who hopes to help Albirex defend their other three titles this season. “There are a lot of players who are young and not so experienced, so this will stand them in good stead.”

Raab admitted it was “not easy to lose a match in this style” but insisted he had seen enough to be encouraged.

“I must say I am very proud of the team for what they did until the end,” said the German, who took charge only three weeks ago.

“Maybe this match came too early against a very strong and fit team… but I’m very optimistic (we can do well this season.”