SINGAPORE - Birthday boy Kyoga Nakamura was the toast of Albirex Niigata, as the White Swans thrashed Home United 4-0 in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) at the Jurong East Stadium on Saturday (April 27).
Home had no answer for the former Japan Under-17 midfielder, who turned 23 on Friday (April 25) and scored a brace on Saturday, with all four goals coming in the first half.
White Swans coach Keiji Shigetomi praised his No.10, saying: "He can score, dictate the game, and help in our build-up play.
"As captain, his presence in the team is very important, especially in attack."
Nakamura models his game after Manchester City playmaker David Silva and former Barcelona schemer Andres Iniesta, and plays in a similar role to the two, drifting between midfield and attack.
And just as the two Spanish maestros often do, Nakamura provided the cutting edge in the final third for his side, which ultimately decided the outcome of a match that was otherwise fairly even.
With just over a minute into the match, Nakamura's tricky feet fooled Home defender Faizal Roslan into tripping him inside the penalty area. He dusted himself off to fire past goalkeeper Nazri Sabri and put his side in front.
Daizo Horikoshi then stole in at the near post to put Albirex 2-0 up in the 21st minute, before he turned providerin the 39th minute, when his shot was parried into the path of Daniel Martens, giving the 20-year-old Singaporean an easy tap-in for his first SPL goal for the Japanese side.
With six minutes added to the first half - during which referee Edwin Lee fell and injured his arm - Nakamura then grabbed his second and Albirex's fourth, winning the ball in midfield and jinking past Faizal before firing a shot from distance that went in off the post.
"After we got the penalty and goal in the first minute, Home had to attack and left gaps behind for us to exploit," said Shigetomi.
Home saw most of the ball in the second half but could not conjure a clear scoring opportunity. The closest they came to pulling a goal back was through substitute Hafiz Nor's shot from distance, which Albirex goalkeeper Kengo Fukudome tipped wide despite being out of position.
Home interim coach Noh Rahman said Nakamura was one of Albirex's players he had singled out before the game as a danger man, but also described the goals his side conceded as "giveaways".
Albirex Niigata players celebrating Kyoga Nakamura's birthday after the match. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG
The Protectors have no time to sulk over the defeat, though. They leave for Indonesia on Sunday morning for an AFC Cup game against PSM Makassar on Tuesday, before returning to Singapore and then flying off again to Brunei to take on league leaders Brunei DPMM next Saturday.
"We need to review today's game and look at the areas we can improve, but as you know we don't have much time," said Noh, who added it was frustrating to watch his side dominate possession but not score.
"We're travelling tomorrow for a different competition which is equally important, and it is a question of character now for the players.
"Today is obviously not a good result for our boys but we are looking for them to bounce back from this."
As Jose Mourinho is sacked by Manchester United, we recall the highs and lows of his Old Trafford tenure. Mourinho leaves United after two and a half years in charge, his departure confirmed in the wake of Sunday's 3-1 defeat by Liverpool. His reign included trophy successes in the EFL Cup and
Jose Mourinho sacked: His Manchester United highs and lows
brandsauthority.com/jose-mourinho-sacked-his-manchester-united-highs-and-lows-football-news/
Jose Mourinho has been sacked by Manchester United As Jose Mourinho is sacked by Manchester United, we recall the highs and lows of his Old Trafford tenure. Mourinho leaves United after two and a half years in charge, his departure confirmed in the wake of Sunday's 3-1 defeat by Liverpool.His reign included trophy successes in…
Mourinho's highs and lows at Manchester United
PSG coach Tuchel hits out at Neymar after fan attack Thomas Tuchel on Monday blasted Neymar for hitting a fan who insulted Paris Saint-Germain players as they filed up to collect their French Cup
PSG coach Tuchel hits out at Neymar after fan attack
"We achieved our objective by winning the group, even on a night where everything seemed to go wrong," Allegri told Rai Sport. "We missed so many opportunities and gifted a penalty, so at the end of the day it was only right that we lost. "[Dybala's disallowed goal] was offside.
When Everything Seems To Be Going Wrong | Psychology Today
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz set for Colombia switch after Asian Cup Description: Carlos Queiroz, who has been Iran coach for eight rollercoaster years, insisted that he remains committed to bringing Asian football's biggest prize back to the country for the first time in more than 40 years.
Iran coach Carlos Queiroz set for Colombia switch after Asian
Ozil courts controversy again, Football News & Top Stories
Feb 06, 2019 · Eden Hazard's future at Chelsea seems in severe doubt after the forward admitted he has come to a decision about his next step, with a move to Real Madrid thought to be his preferred option
Hazard deserves Real Madrid move but boring Chelsea will be
Chelsea Boss Sarri Demands More From Hazard. he's more an individual player than a leader," said Sarri on Wednesday. In an interview with France Football, this week Hazard again raised
The end of Ramadan marks the joyous occasion of Eid Al Fitr (feast after fasting) on which celebrations are held, typically for three days. Eid commences on the sighting of the Shawwal (tenth month of the Hijri calendar) crescent moon,when the 29 or 30 days of Ramadan conclude after sunset.
Morning Stories Roundup: Ancient Sua Tree in Hanoi to be
Football: Choupo-Moting in goal-line howler as PSG throw away chance to wrap up French title. Apr 8, 2019, 7:38 pm. More racial abuse cases heighten calls for action. Apr 8, 2019, 5:00 am ;
Serie A » News » Ronaldo back in Madrid ready to tackle
Football: West Ham's Michail Antonio scores winner as Spurs suffers first loss at new stadium Michail Antonio fired West Ham to a surprise 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Tottenham vs West Ham result, Premier League 2019 report
Looking ahead from this European defeat, there is some hope. Now is the time for the club to, like Liverpool, invest more in the squad over the summer and bounce back again next year. The board must support Mauricio Pochettino's Tottenham Hotspur project, or else it will collapse and he will move on and build a new one with another club.
0 Kommentare:
Kommentar veröffentlichen