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Bulls look to build on opening win
W.Ng
info@sleague.com
Gombak United will be looking to build on their defeat of Sengkang Punggol in last week’s first televised match of the season when they entertain Super Reds at home on Tuesday evening.
The Bulls downed Sengkang 1-0 with a goal by Ojimi Gabriel Obatola, although the score could have been a lot more flattering had they not missed a hatful of chances.
New coach Darren Stewart, however, played down any suggestions that his side’s failure to capitalize on a string of chances was indicative of systematic problems in the attacking third.
“We’re creating the chances, so it’s not a problem. If we’re not creating the chances, then yes, we have a problem.
“But whenever we create chances it’s not a problem. We definitely have the quality to convert them.”
Super Reds, on the other hand, had no such luck in their opening encounter with Young Lions.
The Koreans pulled all the strings in a largely one-sided affair at Yishun, but failed to translate that dominance into goals and secured just one point despite all the possession they enjoyed.
The much-revised Super Reds looked a shadow of the side that displayed some scintillating performances last season, progressing to the finals of the Avaya-J&J League Cup and finishing eventual runners-up in the league.
Ironically, the side that deprived them of that League Cup trophy was Gombak, who clinched their first piece of silverware in the process, and Stewart has refused to write off the Super Reds despite the result in their first match which was less than inspiring.
“We have to switch off the first game, because that’s over,” said the Australian.
“We’re looking forward to a big challenge. They’re a quality team and last year they were outstanding.
“They probably didn’t get the result they wanted against the Young Lions, but they’re still a very, very good footballing side, and we’ve got to be on top of our game to play against them.”
In captain Sevki Sha’ban and Thai midfielder Theerawesin Seehawong, Gombak will have two influential players back from action, and Stewart says that the two are champing at the bit for their first appearance of the 2009 season after missing out on the first match.
“We have a full squad for the game, and we’ll have back the two boys, who are key players, so it’s great to have them back.
“They’re very disciplined players and after all the pre-season matches, they couldn’t play in the first game, so they’re bustling to play.”
Super Reds, meanwhile, will go into the match with no injuries to report. |
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