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Frustrated Stags look for home comforts against Dalian
Elwyn Lee
info@sleague.com
Reeling from a defeat at the hands of title rivals SAFFC last Friday, Tampines Rovers will look to take their frustrations out on Chinese side Dalian Shide Siwu at the Tampines Stadium.
The Stags have already registered losses to their main rivals in the title hunt, SAFFC and Home United, and coach Vorawan Chitavanich will be keen to get his side’s campaign back on track.
“This is a game we must not lose as we have taken less than half of the 15 points available so far,” said the Thai.
“Playing on our home ground with a full-strength team means we are determined to get all the points against Dalian,” he added.
Vorawan will be cheered by the return to the side of veteran midfielder Rafi Ali and defender Shariff Samat.
Rafi had an eventful game in the middle of the park against SAFFC, conceding a penalty for the Warriors’ opener but also forcing an equaliser with a firm header.
Both he and Shariff, playing his first match of the season last week, were helpless though to prevent Mustaqim Manzur’s late winner for SAFFC.
Dalian last week snapped a run of four straight losses, battling to a 2-1 win over Balestier Khalsa with Lu Peng grabbing the winner seven minutes from time.
19-year-old forward Zhao Honglue has been the man to watch for Dalian with two goals from his last two games, and impressing with his pace and trickery.
On Monday though, experience and quality on Tampines’ side should likely prevail against youthful vigour and determination, even if the Chinese side are being blooded and are slowly showing progress in their maiden S.League season.
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