Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Selayang: Tampines Rovers coach V. Sundramoorthy is wary of Selangor’s home advantage when his Singaporean side take on the Malaysian Super League runners-up in their AFC Cup Group E clash at Selayang Municipal Council Stadium on Tuesday.
Sundramoorthy’s side have not reached the knockout stages since the 2011 edition, but did open up this year’s continental campaign in style with a 4-0 win over AFC Cup debutants Lt. Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club of Bangladesh a fortnight ago.
Goals from Billy Mehmet, Hafiz Sujad and Afiq Yunos had put Tampines three goals to the good after 52 minutes before an own goal from Sheikh Jamal’s Topu Barman made sure of the result at Jalan Besar Stadium. But the visit to Selayang will be a different proposition according to Sundramoorthy.
“It has always been tough playing away in Malaysia because Malaysian teams tend to play better at home,” he said.
“Selangor is a good side with good quality local players and playing away will not be easy for us.
“But we will be looking to go out there and give a good match against Selangor.”
Opponents Selangor have played eight matches since their domestic season kicked off on 13 February and the busy schedule is starting to take a toll according to coach Zainal Abidin Hassan.
“Preparation was tight due to the fixture congestion we’ve had, but I will field the best available team of players who are fit and ready physically and mentally,” said Hassan, whose team drew 2-2 with Philippines side Ceres La Salle on Matchday One.
“We have to take advantage of playing at home and try to get the desired result and we are focused on achieving our mission of getting a good result in the AFC Cup.”
In Group E’s earlier clash on Tuesday, Ceres travel to Sheikh Jamal after they saw a four-match unbeaten run ended by domestic rivals Global FC in the UFL Cup last week.
“Our defeat in the cup is like a wake-up call for us, we were in great form before the loss to Global,” said Ceres coach Franklin Muescan.
“The first game we played against Selangor, and we played well. We played with a lot of possession, and proved that we can be at this level.
“As far as preparation is concerned, the players are 100 percent prepared mentally and physically. But we need to be stronger because this is a big match for us and a big opportunity.”
Sheikh Jamal had a difficult introduction to continental football in their AFC Cup opener in Singapore but coach Shafiqul Islam Manik is looking for his side to bounce back against Ceres.
“We conceded goals in our opener due to a lack of concentration of the goalkeeper and the defence, so we are trying to ensure are players stay focused for the whole 90 minutes,” he said.
“The players need to do their job on the pitch and I want their full effort. Our target is to win and I hope my players can give their best in the match.”
Photo: Lagardère Sports