The 2025/26 Singapore Premier League finally kicked off with Albirex Niigata Singapore opening their new campaign at home against last season’s fourth-placed Balestier Khalsa FC.

From the start, Albirex sought to dictate the game by keeping possession and building patiently through their passes. However, nerves were apparent in the opening exchanges, with simple mispasses and poor first touches preventing the White Swans from finding their rhythm. Balestier, on the other hand, relied on long balls forward, using their powerful striker as a focal point to push Albirex’s defense back, creating early pressure and an uneasy flow to the match.

In the 8th minute, Albirex were unable to clear a set-piece, and Balestier pounced on the loose ball to score, putting the hosts behind early and sending tension throughout Jurong East Stadium. Although Albirex continued to move the ball around after conceding, they struggled to carve out clear chances, leaving the fans frustrated.

Momentum shifted midway through the first half, with Takumi Yokohata leading the charge in attack. In the 30th minute, Albirex produced a sharp sequence of direct passes initiated by Yokohata. From the right flank, Araba whipped in a low cross, and Katsuyuki Ishibashi timed his run perfectly to slot home calmly with his right foot, bringing Albirex level.

Just three minutes later, Yokohata struck again. Collecting the ball on the left, he dribbled past defenders with flair, cut into the penalty area, and finished coolly into the bottom corner to complete the turnaround. The stadium erupted in celebration as Albirex stormed into a 2–1 lead.

Balestier responded with aerial pressure late in the half, but Albirex’s defense stood firm, blocking shots and clearing danger to carry a 2–1 lead into halftime.

At the restart, Albirex introduced striker Shingo Nakano and new defender Komei Iida to further lift their attacking intensity. Balestier, however, nearly equalized right after the break with a shot from the center of the box, but veteran goalkeeper Hassan Sunny produced a brilliant reflex save to deny them.

Albirex regained momentum by feeding Nakano, who became the focal point of their attacks. In the 66th minute, a slick passing move ended with Nakano receiving the ball inside the box, but his shot went narrowly wide. Two minutes later, a corner from Ren Nishimura found Kim Tae-woo completely unmarked at the far post, yet his header missed the target by inches – another golden opportunity gone begging.

The game remained on a knife’s edge. In the 72nd minute, a careless pass in Albirex’s own half gifted Balestier a chance, but the resulting near-post effort also drifted wide.

Despite Albirex creating multiple chances, they could not find the crucial third goal. In the 83rd minute, Balestier punished them from a corner, bundling the ball home after a scramble in the box to level the score at 2–2.

Albirex continued to push until the final whistle. In the 88th minute, Yokohata cut inside from the left and unleashed a sharp strike, but the ball skimmed just past the post. Deep into stoppage time, Jun Yen carried the ball forward in a counterattack, releasing Yokohata down the right. His cross was blocked, but Nishimura recycled possession with another dangerous delivery, and Nakano threw himself at the ball – only to miss by a fraction, denying Albirex a dramatic late winner.

Although Albirex had turned the match around in the first half and dominated large spells, their inability to convert second-half chances proved costly, allowing Balestier to snatch a late equalizer. The game ended in a disappointing draw, but the White Swans showed promising signs of cohesion. With sharper finishing, the team looks capable of securing their first victory of the season in the matches ahead.

[Next Match]

September 12 (Fri), 7:30 PM

vs Geylang International FC

@ Jurong East Stadium (Away)

We look forward to your continued passionate support!