[Match Report] Shingo Strikes Twice! Albirex Earn First Win of the Season
Albirex Niigata FC (S) returned to Jurong East Stadium for Matchweek 2, hosting Geylang International FC, who also drew their opening game. With the league title race in mind, this was a must-win fixture to build momentum.
Albirex Niigata FC (S) set the tone from the outset. In the 2nd minute, Kim Taeuk long pass sparked a flowing move as Haziq cushioned the ball for Ishibashi to deliver a cross. Shingo Nakano met it cleanly and found the net, but the opener was ruled out for offside. Just two minutes later, Cho Eunsu picked out Nakano with another long pass to create a big chance, underlining Albirex’s early dominance.
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In the 7th minute, the visitors threatened on the counter, but goalkeeper Hassan dealt with the shot calmly. On 15 minutes, Haziq reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box and unleashed a fierce effort that shaved past the post. Both sides then traded battles in midfield; at 24 minutes, a lapse in pressure allowed Geylang to fire a sharp attempt that flew just wide, letting Albirex off the hook.
Geylang looked to build through former Albirex Niigata FC (S) forward Shuhei Hoshino, but Kim Taeuk assured defending kept him quiet. Albirex mixed in effective long balls from the back to keep the pressure on and sustained a strong spell in the opposition half.
The breakthrough arrived in first-half stoppage time. Cho Unsu delivered a sharp pass into midfield, which Jun Yen headed down first time. After a quick combination through Takumi Yokohata, Ishibashi played a clever through ball back to Yokohata, who broke free and sent a cross into the box. Shingo Nakano met it with a calm header to secure the long-awaited opening goal.
Albirex doubled the lead shortly after the restart. From a free kick, Jared recycled a short clearance with a header back into the danger area, Kim Taeuk nodded it on, and the unmarked Nakano steered the ball past the keeper for his second of the night.
Albirex continued to dictate proceedings. In the 59th minute, a slick move from Takumi to Nakano and then to Jun Yen carved open the defense, ending with a cut-back that narrowly failed to produce a goal. At the other end, Jun Yen made a vital block from a 63rd-minute corner to preserve the lead.
The front line kept possession well through Takumi as Albirex controlled the tempo. In the 75th minute, Geylang broke through for a rare chance but dragged the shot wide. Soon after, a VAR review resulted in a straight red card to the visitors for stepping on the free-kick wall, handing Albirex a numerical advantage. In stoppage time, Nakano again threatened—swinging in a cross and then driving inside for a shot—but the goalkeeper produced a fine save. Deep in the dying moments, Geylang created danger from the flank, only for Hassan to deliver a superb stop to keep the clean sheet intact.
With a goal right before the break and another immediately after it, Albirex showcased an ideal game script built on collective hard work. Hassan’s composure between the posts and Nakano’s clinical finishing proved decisive. Albirex sealed a 2–0 victory for their first win of the season and will carry this momentum into the next fixture.
【Next Match】
Fri, 17 Oct, 19:30 vs. Hougang United FC
@ Jurong East Stadium (Away)
Thank you for your continued passionate support!
Albirex Niigata FC (S) set the tone from the outset. In the 2nd minute, Kim Taeuk long pass sparked a flowing move as Haziq cushioned the ball for Ishibashi to deliver a cross. Shingo Nakano met it cleanly and found the net, but the opener was ruled out for offside. Just two minutes later, Cho Eunsu picked out Nakano with another long pass to create a big chance, underlining Albirex’s early dominance.
In the 7th minute, the visitors threatened on the counter, but goalkeeper Hassan dealt with the shot calmly. On 15 minutes, Haziq reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box and unleashed a fierce effort that shaved past the post. Both sides then traded battles in midfield; at 24 minutes, a lapse in pressure allowed Geylang to fire a sharp attempt that flew just wide, letting Albirex off the hook.
Geylang looked to build through former Albirex Niigata FC (S) forward Shuhei Hoshino, but Kim Taeuk assured defending kept him quiet. Albirex mixed in effective long balls from the back to keep the pressure on and sustained a strong spell in the opposition half.
The breakthrough arrived in first-half stoppage time. Cho Unsu delivered a sharp pass into midfield, which Jun Yen headed down first time. After a quick combination through Takumi Yokohata, Ishibashi played a clever through ball back to Yokohata, who broke free and sent a cross into the box. Shingo Nakano met it with a calm header to secure the long-awaited opening goal.
Albirex doubled the lead shortly after the restart. From a free kick, Jared recycled a short clearance with a header back into the danger area, Kim Taeuk nodded it on, and the unmarked Nakano steered the ball past the keeper for his second of the night.
Albirex continued to dictate proceedings. In the 59th minute, a slick move from Takumi to Nakano and then to Jun Yen carved open the defense, ending with a cut-back that narrowly failed to produce a goal. At the other end, Jun Yen made a vital block from a 63rd-minute corner to preserve the lead.
The front line kept possession well through Takumi as Albirex controlled the tempo. In the 75th minute, Geylang broke through for a rare chance but dragged the shot wide. Soon after, a VAR review resulted in a straight red card to the visitors for stepping on the free-kick wall, handing Albirex a numerical advantage. In stoppage time, Nakano again threatened—swinging in a cross and then driving inside for a shot—but the goalkeeper produced a fine save. Deep in the dying moments, Geylang created danger from the flank, only for Hassan to deliver a superb stop to keep the clean sheet intact.
With a goal right before the break and another immediately after it, Albirex showcased an ideal game script built on collective hard work. Hassan’s composure between the posts and Nakano’s clinical finishing proved decisive. Albirex sealed a 2–0 victory for their first win of the season and will carry this momentum into the next fixture.
【Next Match】
Fri, 17 Oct, 19:30 vs. Hougang United FC
@ Jurong East Stadium (Away)
Thank you for your continued passionate support!
