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Mental edge main goal for Bok
Sham Majid
info@sleague.com
The first of what promises to be many intruiging battles amongst the championship protagonists takes centrestage on Friday evening, as SAFFC lock horns with archrivals Tampines Rovers at Jalan Besar Stadium.
With this fixture arguably a maiden litmus test of the credentials of both the current holders and the primary pretenders, Warriors chief Richard Bok was quick to point out that whoever comes out unscathed from Friday’s encounter would gain a slight if not significant advantage.
“It’s going to be a long season, but whoever wins on Friday would definitely get a psychological boost and gain a mental edge over the opponent,” noted the reigning MIKASA Coach of the Year.
“It’s going to be a really tough game, and Tampines had a good win over Albirex (Niigata (Singapore)), and they have experienced players in the form of Qiu Li and Aleksandar Duric, as well as their foreigners.
“I think the teamwork among Tampines is getting better. Previously they relied a lot on individualism from the likes of Noh Alam Shah.”
“But now, they seem to be falling more into the teamwork category, and they also move the ball around well and play good football.”
Bok has urged his troops to hit the ground running from the first whistle, and shake off the indifference which epitomised their first two matches against Geylang United and Balestier Khalsa.
“One thing we need to resolve is to start the game well and show more urgency, and that is something we did not do in our first two games,” he commented.
“We need to hit off from the blocks and put pressure on Tampines and settle down quickly.”
The SAFFC honcho maintained that, with the influx of matches in all competitions this campaign, he is aiming for a repeat of last year, where he side gradually grew in stature over the course of the season.
“Basically for the next few months until May, we have a really tight schedule, along with the League Cup and ACL commitments,” he acknowledged.
“For example, we play nine games in March should we progress to the League Cup final. So over the next few months, we aim to stay close to the frontrunner or get in front of the group.
“Hopefully in the second half of the season, we can use it as a base for us to push on, just like how we did last campaign.
“That is why Friday’s game is an important one, and if we can start bright and early and play our game, hopefully we can get a victory.”
For Stags boss Vorawan Chitavanich, there are still several chinks in his side’s armour despite them sitting pretty at the summit of the league.
The Thai elaborated, “Yes, we are playing quite well, but we are still wasting a bit of our chances created and failing to convert them.
“We are also unsure of what to do in certain situations of the game, and we panic and get nervous as to whether to defend or attack when we score a goal.
“But overall, we are doing okay, and it takes time for the combination of the team to click.”
Vorawan underlined his notion that it would be benefical for his charges to play against the Warriors so early into the season.
“I think it’s good to play them now as they have made a few changes to their team, so it’s not going to gel straight away,” he remarked.
“It is taking time for them to prepare the team, and it is a long-term process for everybody to know each other. This can be dangerous as well.
“Nevertheless, we must concentrate on all teams and not just the big ones, as there is no point winning the big teams and losing to the middle or bottom-placed ones.”
The gaffer, who led the Stags to consecutive titles in 2004 and 2005, also hinted at a shift in his side’s new-found mentality this season.
“Last year, we maybe had some stars but this season, we’ve been playing more as a unit and relying more on everyone to play as a team,” he said.
“Our two new signings have been helping us in a lot of ways. Park Yo Seb has been helping the defence and Aleksandar Duric has been guiding the young boys.
“Maybe SAFFC played him more as a targetman but here, I think he is playing and bringing everyone else into the game, so we would go into this match with confidence.”
Uruguayan forward Federico Martinez is doubtful for the Warriors, having been struggling with a groin injury in recent weeks. French centreback Benoit Croissant meanwhile returns from suspension to marshall the Stags backline. |
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