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Straits Times
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Albirex Niigata top scorer Shingo Nakano eyes move to other parts of Asia
Albirex Niigata's Shingo Nakano (left) celebrating with Yohei Otake after scoring a goal in their 5-1 win over Tanjong Pagar United at Jurong East Stadium on May 16, 2025. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO SINGAPORE – Despite a virtuoso performance in Albirex Niigata's 5-1 win over Tanjong Pagar United on May 16, free-scoring striker Shingo Nakano's smile briefly faded after being denied the match ball. His second of three strikes in their Singapore Premier League (SPL) victory at the Jurong East Stadium was belatedly ruled an own goal from opposing defender Thorsten Cross. The 20-year-old Japanese was instead credited with an assist. Such is Nakano's relentless appetite for goals that his focus has already shifted to finding the net in the season finale against Balestier Khalsa on May 25. However, watching the fan favourite find the net may soon become a thing of the past, as he hopes to build on a debut SPL campaign in which he amassed 23 goals and three assists in 28 SPL games, and explore other opportunities in Asia. Asked about his future, Albirex's top scorer, whose contract expires at the end of the season, said: 'I am not sure yet but, if I can make a step up, I am going to the next country. Maybe somewhere in Asia. Malaysia, Thailand or Japan and after that try for Europe.' Albirex Niigata's Shingo Nakano (in mask) celebrating with fans after scoring in the 5-1 win over Tanjong Pagar United in a Singapore Premier League match at Jurong East Stadium on May 16, 2025. ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO Their other imports – all Japanese – are also set to see their contracts expire at the end of the season. Veteran midfielder Yohei Otake, who previously played for FC Tokyo and Shonan Bellmare in the top-tier J1 League, had announced earlier in May that he will be leaving the club. The 36-year-old has registered five goals and eight assists in 25 SPL games. Asked about the future of his imports, Albirex coach Keiji Shigetomi said they are not sure yet, adding: 'When new players come in, foreign or local players, we must stay united. That's what is important to me.' The result meant that Albirex consolidated fifth position with 42 points from 31 games. They are four points ahead of Brunei DPMM, who host BG Tampines Rovers on May 17. Tanjong Pagar, in contrast, extended a wretched run of 10 games without a win. With his team having played five games in a two-week span, Jaguars coach Noh Alam Shah said: 'You can see the difference at the end of the second half. It's definitely the fatigue especially after two good showings (against Hougang United and Lion City Sailors).' The Jaguars showed promising signs in the first half, going toe to toe with their opponents as they pressed high through forward Salif Cisse and pacey winger Zenivio Mota. 'Next season, you are going to see a Tanjong Pagar team with high energy. This is my demand. A hardworking and high-pressing team,' added Alam Shah. Nakano took just four minutes to find the opener, as he ghosted behind the defence to meet a cross from Otake, applying a deft touch to steer the ball past goalkeeper Kimura Riki. The Jaguars pulled one back 10 minutes later through their top scorer Cisse as he calmly chipped goalkeeper Hassan Sunny for his ninth league goal. With three minutes left in the first half, Tanjong Pagar captain Faizal Roslan's poor clearance fell to Albirex wingback Junki Yoshimura on the edge of the box, and he drilled a low shot into the bottom-left corner to make it 2-1. In the 66th minute, Otake teed up Nakano once more, and the striker flicked the ball past Riki, but the strike was later deemed to have taken a deflection from Cross and awarded as an own goal. Nakano instead got his brace in the 78th minute. He pounced on a rebound when substitute Daniel Goh's shot was palmed into his path by Riki and then wheeled off in delight to celebrate with the fans. Nakano turned provider in the 83rd minute, delivering a cross that was met by the onrushing Shuhei Hoshino, who fired home to round off the win. In the 88th minute, Albirex had a chance to make it six after being awarded a penalty for a handball by Marcus Moses, but Riki saved Goh's spot-kick to spare his side further blushes. Analysis Albirex seemed to have found their winning groove with consecutive emphatic victories against Geylang International and Tanjong Pagar, bagging nine goals in the process. The White Swans took full advantage of the Jaguars' second-half collapse to widen the scoreline as they look to continue their push for a fifth-placed finish. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Hassan Sunny, 41, wants to hang around, not hang up his gloves
Former national goalkeeper Hassan Sunny will be 42 when his contract with Albirex Niigata ends after the 2025-26 season. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN SINGAPORE – A familiar face between the sticks, Hassan Sunny has been a symbol of longevity in the local game. As his 18th season in the Singapore Premier League draws to a close, the 41-year-old has not put a date to when he intends to retire. 'I have never wanted to stop playing football... My stance has always been to uphold my name. I wouldn't want people to say that Hassan is old, and therefore, he is not performing. It is important that I maintain my level of performance,' said the Albirex Niigata goalkeeper. In June 2023, midway through an SPL title-winning campaign with Albirex, Hassan extended his contract until the end of the 2025-26 season. He will be 42 by the end of his contract, surpassing other veteran goalkeepers who played in the Singaporean top flight, such as David Lee (retired at 41) and having already eclipsed the likes of Shahri Rahim (39), Amos Boon (38) and Rezal Hassan (37). Hassan, who announced his international retirement in 2024 after becoming the most-capped Lions custodian with 115 appearances, added: 'I believe I can still contribute. So, I am not thinking about retirement. My job is to help the club and contribute to whichever team I am playing for. ' But even the goalkeeping stalwart admitted that the season has been 'a very long one', having played in 28 of Albirex's 30 SPL matches and conceded 62 goals in their first full campaign as a local club. 'It's not where we want to be in terms of the league table... I'm not saying it's a success, but from where we were at the start of the season, right at the bottom of the table... I would say it's good progress,' he said. With two games left, Albirex will be aiming to secure fifth place in the nine-team table. After snapping a five-game winless run by defeating third-placed Geylang International 4-1 on May 11, they are just a point above a resurgent Brunei DPMM. Albirex coach Keiji Shigetomi, who replaced the sacked Kazuaki Yoshinaga in July, admitted that it has been a challenging campaign. 'But the team pushed through under tough circumstances,' he said, ahead of their match against Tanjong Pagar United at the Jurong East Stadium on May 16. 'It's also been a difficult period for our fans, but I hope we can all finish the season on a positive note together.' Also hoping for a good end to the campaign is Tanjong Pagar coach Noh Alam Shah. The Jaguars will end the season with the wooden spoon, but he believes their recent improved showings have not come too late. The former national striker, who took the reins in December, said: 'They are just starting to understand how the playing style is supposed to be, but it's good because at least they understand now, then we can start focusing on next season.' This will be Albirex's last home game of the season and Hassan has rallied his teammates. 'We spoke among each other and we were saying that these are the last two games we will play together... Let's cherish these moments... and end the season well,' he said. Since his last international appearance in June 2024 – a 3-1 loss to Thailand in a World Cup qualifier in which his heroics enabled China to qualify for the next round at the Thais' expense – his fame has spread in China. Washington-based United Sports Football Club, whose founder is a former assistant coach of the China national women's team, invited him to participate in mentorship sessions with their young goalkeepers from April 28 to May 5. The club play in the fourth-tier United Premier Soccer League. Thanking Albirex for allowing him to go on the trip, which included a luncheon with World Cup 2026 ambassador Cliff McCrath, Hassan said it was an eye-opener as he gained new experiences. He will hope to pass on those insights to his teammates ahead of next season , where he believes that with 'a good balance of quality foreign and local players,' the club can compete for top honours once again . Brunei DPMM v BG Tampines Rovers (May 17, 8.15pm, Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium) Having extended their SPL unbeaten run to seven matches (five wins, two draws), sixth-placed DPMM will be aiming to leapfrog Albirex by beating Tampines at home for the second time this season, following a 3-2 win in September. Tampines, meanwhile, have won five of their last six SPL matches and have secured second spot behind champions Lion City Sailors. Young Lions v Hougang United (May 19, 7.45pm, Jalan Besar Stadium) The Young Lions, who have already avoided the wooden spoon for the first time since 2020, lost 2-1 to third-placed Geylang at the Jalan Besar Stadium on May 15. While they took the lead through Kan Kobayashi in first-half injury time, the Eagles hit back through Rio Sakuma (68th minute) and Ryoya Taniguchi (90th) to extend the Young Lions' winless run to nine league games. Their season-ending clash against seventh-placed Hougang United at the same venue will now be a dead rubber. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
AsiaOne
14-05-2025
- AsiaOne
Man arrested for allegedly attacking parent with metal chair after Singapore Youth League match, Singapore News
A man has been arrested for allegedly attacking a parent with a foldable metal chair after a Singapore Youth League (SYL) match on May 11. The police told AsiaOne that they received a call for assistance at 10 Compassvale Lane - which is Sengkang Secondary School - at about 7.15pm on that day. A 51-year-old man was conveyed to Sengkang General Hospital while conscious and a 46-year-old man was arrested for rash act causing hurt. Investigations are ongoing. According to a statement by Albirex Niigata, one of the clubs which played that night, the victim was "assaulted with a foldable metal chair", suffering severe bruising and cuts near his left eye socket as a result. The man, who is the parent of a youth footballer, was taken to hospital and discharged the same night. "We are in close contact with the parent. He is recovering and his vision is improving. The parent has also made a police report immediately after the assault," said the club. In a Facebook post on the same day, SYL stated that the incident occurred after an Under-14 match at Sengkang Secondary School, as the teams were making their way out of the venue. The league added that it is in touch with both clubs and investigations are ongoing. "We remind players and supporters to respect league rules and to abstain from unruly behaviour," it said. "Violence will not be tolerated and we will not hesitate to report violent acts to the authorities. Disciplinary action will also be taken against such errant behaviour," Albirex Niigata was beaten by Geylang FC that night, with a score of 8-0. In a Facebook post on May 12, Geylang said it is conducting a "thorough internal review" and cooperating with the SYL committee and authorities. "While we understand there were heightened emotions and tensions during the match, we do not condone any form of violence or inappropriate behaviour – on or off the field." "We urge everyone to refrain from speculating or spreading unverified information online as investigations are ongoing," the club said. Offenders convicted of causing hurt to any person by performing a rash act can be jailed for up to a year, fined up to $5,000 or both. [[nid:712837]]
CNA
13-05-2025
- CNA
Man arrested for allegedly attacking a parent after youth match between Albirex and Geylang
SINGAPORE: A 46-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly attacking a parent after a Singapore Youth League match between Albirex Niigata and Geylang International on Sunday (May 11). The Singapore Youth League said in a Facebook post that the incident happened after the Under-14 match at Sengkang Secondary School as the teams were making their way out of the venue. According to Albirex, the victim was "assaulted with a foldable metal chair" after the match. He suffered severe bruising and cuts near his left eye socket. The 51-year-old victim, who is a parent of a youth footballer, was taken to hospital and discharged the same night. "We are in close contact with the parent. He is recovering and his vision is improving. The parent has also made a police report immediately after the assault," said Albirex in a statement on Facebook. The 46-year-old man was arrested after the police received a call for assistance at the school at about 7.15pm. Police investigations are ongoing. Geylang beat Albirex 8-0 on the night. Albirex said: "The club strongly condemns any aggressive actions against our players, coaches, parents and our supporters, and is committed to ensuring a safe environment for all." It said it would continue to support the affected parent, adding that it would not be making further comments as the matter is with the police. Geylang said it is conducting a "thorough internal review" and cooperating with the Singapore Youth League committee and authorities. "While we understand there were heightened emotions and tensions during the match, we do not condone any form of violence or inappropriate behaviour – on or off the field.
