Tampines Rovers 4-0 Victory

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Singapore: Tampines Rovers joined Thailand’s Muang Thong United in the knockout stage of the AFC Cup after a comfortable 4-0 win over the Maldives’ Victory SC at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore.

With Hanoi T&T holding leaders Muang Thong United to a goalless draw in the earlier Group G tie in Vietnam, Tampines knew they only needed a point to ensure their place in the next round.

On a cool evening under a persistent drizzle, Tampines dominated from start to finish in a largely low key and one-sided affair with the visitors struggling to gain any sort of foothold in the game.

The only surprise was that it took the hosts 10 minutes to have their first shot on target through top scorer Aleksandar Duric. The 40-year-old was then denied by the post six minutes later from a tight angle after expertly rounding the Victory keeper.

Tampines’ patient approach paid off moments later when midfielder Shahdan Sulaiman turned deftly in the box to drill his shot into the bottom far corner.

Ahmad Latiff then kept up his prolific streak following his brace last week to double the home side’s advantage on the stroke of half-time. Sulaiman was involved again as his wicked cross from the left was bundled home from close range.

Duric was not to be denied his customary goal as Tampines showed no signs of letting up in the second-half.

Latiff spotted the veteran’s run with a superb through ball and despite Victory keeper Mohamed Faisal getting a hand on the initial shot, he had no chance as Duric poked home the rebound for his fifth goal in as many AFC Cup games this season.

Tampines continued to go for the jugular knowing that goal difference could come into the equation in deciding top spot and home advantage in the next round.

After going close with several long range efforts, Duric showed his teammates how it was done with a poacher’s finish as he slammed home from close range nine minutes from time after a teasing low cross from Imran Sahib on the right. Remarkably, it was his 17th goal in 17 games in all competitions this season.

With the win, Tampines are now level on points at the top of Group G with their next opponents Muang Thong, who have a slightly inferior goal difference making next week’s final group match in Bangkok a decider for top spot.