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Bok wants continental form brought back home
Sham Majid
info@sleague.com
Fresh from their high-octane clash against samurai outfit Gamba Osaka in the AFC Champions League (ACL), SAFFC will channel their focus on the domestic front against another side of Japanese origin when they take on Albirex Niigata (Singapore) at Choa Chu Kang Stadium on Saturday evening.
Although the Warriors had utimately no points to show for in their gallant 2-4 loss to the former ACL winners, SAFFC chief Richard Bok has urged his troops to impart the energy and desire epitomised from their continental assignment and direct them into their league proceedings.
So far this year, their stellar performances in Asia’s top club competition have not been replicated at a consistent level back home, as shown by their shock 0-1 defeat to Gombak United last week.
Bok, clearly, wants that to change.
“We had a good game against Gamba and it was a morale booster for us, even though we lost,” he explained.
“It is very important for us to transpire the good attitude and values which we have learnt from the ACL into the league, and that would make things easier for us.
“Everybody was working hard for each other on Tuesday, and we played really well as a team on the counter and defensively, and that is what we are looking at doing here as well.”
The Warriors coach admitted that he was somewhat perplexed to find the White Swans currently perched at the foot of the table, but echoed his belief that it was not due to their footballing prowess, or rather a lack of it.
Instead he saw it as a typical case of growing pains from the Albirex squad, which has undergone large-scale changes and could be having difficulties making the initial adjustments.
“Some of their players are quite young, and so it takes a bit more time to gel,” he elaborated.
“It’s just like how half of my team are new players and they need time to settle down, so to me it’s the same situation.
“Albirex play with a lot of energy and are a dynamic team with high intensity. But we’ve just played at a high level, so hopefully we can bring that momentum into the game against Albirex.”
The reigning MIKASA Coach of the Year conceded that Asian commitments have naturally been a big distraction for his charges, but added that he expects his team to step up a gear or two over the coming month.
“We have to keep close to the top at least until April, when our ACL commitments would probably end,” he noted.
“You never know what will happen in the competition, but realistically speaking, we would fully concentrate on the league in April.
“In the beginning of the season, it’s always about the ACL games, and we also try not to be too many games behind the leaders. Once our commitments in the high-level games are over, we can fully focus on the league, but we want to stay nearby the top for the moment.”
Albirex vice-chairman Bogdan Brasoveanu meanwhile claims he is smelling an opportunity for his side following the Warriors’ gruelling continental clash.
“I’m sure the SAFFC players are tired and they have a few injuries, and I think it’s the right moment to play them even though the game is in Choa Chu Kang,” he opined.
“We are confident of our chances against them. We will try to play our fast and quick-moving football, put things into practice and take advantage of SAFFC’s tiredness.”
The Romanian added that their twelve-day rest following their goalless draw with near neighbours Gombak United was a perfect platform for them to take stock of their season so far and iron out some tactical conundrums on the pitch.
“It was a good break for us during this period for us to plan and prepare against SAFFC, and we believe in our chances against them.”
Midfielder Ken Matsumoto could be back for the White Swans after recovering from an injury sustained two weeks ago. |
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