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Dolphins aiming for second bite of SAFFC cherry
Sham Majid
info@sleague.com
Sengkang Punggol will attempt to dispel the notion that their League Cup conquest over SAFFC was a flash in the pan as they welcome the reigning champions at Hougang Stadium on Monday evening.
Despite being deprived of their national team players for the League Cup quarterfinal clash against the Dolphins two weeks ago, the Warriors, fielding the likes of Ivan Lovric, Ahmad Latiff Khamarudin, Park Tae Won, Indra Sahdan Daud et al were vanquished 1-3 in their own backyard by Aide Iskandar’s charges.
The northeastern outfit went on to claim a highly creditable third-place finish in the competition.
While admitting that victory over SAFFC was a moment to relish, Sengkang chief Aide believed that their successful League Cup campaign provided the most satisfaction as it constituted a litmus test of his side’s credentials for the campaign.
“Winning SAFFC in the competition was a real boost for us as a team,” he explained.
“But I think the League Cup itself was a good indication of how we prepared for this season as we had a good pre-season and we finished third in the tournament. This is a good achievment for the club and it has given us the confidence to do well in matches.”
The former national skipper is particularly optimistic at the resurgence of a team which had been perennially acknowledged as one of the league’s regular wooden-spoonists since its inception.
“We have always finished in the bottom two for the past five or six years, but I believe we have learnt a lot from last season,” Aide said.
“The players have been working very hard as a team, and there is a strong effort and teamwork from them. We believe that if we play to our strengths, we can do well this campaign and we hope the our momentum would keep going.
“People have been talking about Sengkang so hopefully, we can perform and show them our capabilities and do well as a team.”
Aide conceded that Richard Bok’s troops are something of a wounded animal following their continental reverse against Suwon Samsung Bluewings during midweek, and they would be looking for redemption on the pitch.
“SAFFC is SAFFC and they are a great team with really good players and and a big squad,” he expressed.
“Even though we beat them once already, we still respect them and I think they would be more motivated to get a win.
“Considering that they lost in the Asian Champions League (ACL) against Suwon, they would want to get back to winning ways, and it will be a tough game and a good challenge for my team.
“I always tell my boys that these are the big games players want to play in, so we will relish the challenge. Big teams are definitely quality teams and we are the underdogs but my motto is if we work hard, we can get results.”
Warriors coach Bok maintained that his side will now have to cast their eyes solely on league proceedings, after their cup commitments on both domestic and continental fronts.
Their next Champions League commitment comes eight days after the trip to Hougang, when J-League side Gamba Osaka fly in to Singapore.
“I think we need to focus on the league for the next two games against Sengkang on Monday and then Gombak (United) on Thursday before our next Asian match,” said Bok.
“We cannot take anything for granted, and it is always tough playing against local teams because they raise their game whenever they play the defending champions.
“We will need to work very hard and play well to get the win.”
The SAFFC chief insisted that that progress of the Dolphins this season was not unforseen in his perspective.
“I don’t think it is a surprise as to how well Sengkang have started the season,” he added.
“They have selected good young foreign players such as Jordan Webb and Abdoulaye Diallo, and they have good local players to blend with the foreigners. They work well as a team and as a unit and they have proven to be no pushovers this season.”
Aide will have a squad relatively free of injuries and suspensions to choose from for this clash, with Moussa Keita the only likely absentee.
Meanwhile Shaiful Esah, John Wilkinson and Noh Rahman are all sidelined for the Warriors. |
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