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Albirex Niigata (Singapore) and Gombak United could not find the back of the net after 90 minutes of football as they played out a tight goalless draw at Jurong East Stadium in Monday’s Jurong derby.
Though both side had chances, it was Albirex who could have stolen all three points at the death when substitute Shimpei Sakurada broke through the Bulls defence, only for his shot to go narrowly wide of the post.
With the result, both Jurong-based clubs ended their streaks of results, as the White Swans failed to make it four wins in a row, while the Bulls were glad to have halted their losing streak at two matches.
“I’m very happy with the point,” said a delighted Darren Stewart, head coach of Gombak United.
“It is a tough place to come to and get a result, but I am pleased with the way we handled the two losses (against SAFFC and Balestier Khalsa). As you know, we didn’t play poorly then. This is a real satisfying result for us.
“I’ve to take my hat off to the lads, it was a good point that we won.”
The Australian had said before the match that they wanted to “soak up the pressure”, and it was reflected in the defensive 4-2-3-1 formation laid out, with Park Kang Jin and Tengku Mushadad guarding the back four.
Two changes were made to the side that had lost 0-1 to Balestier last week, with skipper Jaslee Hatta being replaced by Jeremy Chiang at leftback, while Aloysius Yap came into midfield in place of misfiring Korean striker Kwon Jin Sung.
Fellow Korean forward Chang Jo Yoon was given the lone striker’s role.
Albirex, who were looking to go up to second in the table, showed their intent to claim all three points in their lineup with attacking players Shotaro Ihata, Bruno Suzuki Castanheira and Tatsuro Inui all featured in the starting eleven.
And it was Inui who got the first opportunity of the evening.
A long ball from Kunihiro Yamashita found the forward unmarked in the penalty area in the eighth minute, but Inui’s shot was well blocked by Gombak goalkeeper Zakariah Nerani before the ball was cleared by the defence.
Four minutes later, Atsushi Shimono sent another shot well over the bar from long range.
Gombak took some time to get settled before they had their first chance on 19 minutes through Ruhaizad Ismail, who was released down the right. His shot, however, sailed over the Albirex goal.
The 29-year-old midfielder was definitely one of sparks in the Bulls attack, and he almost gave his side the lead when he was clear on goal with 32 minutes gone, but he pulled his shot wide to the agony of the travelling fans.
He also was the architect of the last chance of the half, releasing Yap into the box for the latter to set Chang up, but the Korean’s attempted chip went over the bar.
At the other end, Albirex had their chances in the first half too, the best one coming on 27 minutes when Ihata snaked his way through to the Gombak defence, only to drag his shot wide at the far post.
In the second half, the White Swans dominated possession, but could not find the penetration that yielded them 16 goals in eight previous outings.
The Bulls’ centreback pairing of Obadin Aikhena and Walid Lounis were solid at the back, making a string of crucial interceptions as they kept the home side at bay.
Inui and Castanheira did trouble the Gombak custodian, and even had a goalbound shot cleared off the line, but Albirex failed to break down their opponents’ organised defence.
The Bulls almost nicked a goal at the other end on 76 minutes, when Chang sent substitute Zulkiffli Hassim, who had replaced Ruhaizad eight minutes earlier, clear through on goal.
The striker, however, wasted his one-on-one opportunity as his shot was easily saved.
The White Swans brought on Yosuke Saito and Sakurada as attacking options with time winding down, and a series of corners did make things nervous for the Bulls, but the home side were still unable to find a hole in the Jurong West-based club.
Towards the end, Sakurada almost got the winning goal when he found himself with the ball at his feet in the penalty area, but he pulled his shot just wide of the post.
With that missed chance, the two sides shared the points.
When asked about his team’s defence and how they kept Albirex at bay, Bulls coach Stewart seemed particularly happy with their work.
“I am pleased with that,” he commented.
“We limited their chances, and the one at the end was just a bit of luck on our part. In general, we did quite well to contain them.
“It was important to keep a clean sheet for morale. It would be hard on our morale if the goal had gone in at the end.”
Albirex coach Koichi Sugiyama felt that his charges had played according to plan, but the reason for the draw came down to the details.
“It was a game that we could have won,” said the 39-year-old.
“It is more of two points lost than a point gained. We played at our own pace for 90 minutes, so I want to praise the players, but we have to look into details.
“These details are the ones that determine if we get three points or one point, and it was because of these details that we got a draw today.”
When quizzed if the attacking third needed to be looked at in more detail, Sugiyama stressed the need for balance.
“While I agree our final ball has to be improved, I have to look at the overall team as well,” he replied.
“We have to make sure the defence is well-drilled first, and make sure the midfield protects the defence before looking at the attack.”
With a wide range of attacking options and most players seeming to be in good condition after nine league games, there is much debate on who should be in the starting eleven for the Japanese side.
But for the Albirex coach, this is a “good problem”.
“This is a good team and all of them are fighting hard to be in the first eleven, so I am having a good problem,” he remarked.
“I always choose my team based on who is in the best good condition and who are the opponents we are facing.
“After the first nine games, I am definitely sure we can push for the title. After all, we would have gone up to second if we won this match,” he added.
With only one point gained, though, the White Swans are now fourth in the league standings, with 16 points from nine matches, moving ahead of defending champions Etoile FC on goal difference.
Gombak remain in sixth place with 11 points from eight outings.
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