[Match Report] Attacking Unit Shines as Albirex Cruise to a 4–0 Victory Over Hougang United
Matchday 3 marked our first league fixture in about a month since away victory on September 12. Our opponents were Hougang United FC, who currently sit 6th in the league with 1 win and 2 losses. With the title race in full focus, this became a must-win game for Albirex Niigata Singapore as league play resumed.
In just the 2nd minute, Jaden Heng – making his first start of the season – fired the opening shot to set the early tempo. Six minutes later, Shingo Nakano broke through the defensive line and squared the ball to Sim Jun Yean, who narrowly missed the target with his strike. In the 7th minute, Katsuyuki Ishibashi also tested the goal with a quick turn-and-hit effort, as Albirex pushed forward aggressively from the outset.
Albirex continued to dominate possession and push the game into the opposition half, though minor passing errors prevented clear-cut finishing opportunities. In the 10th minute, Takumi Yokohata suffered a lower-back knock after a foul and briefly exited the pitch, but the team remained composed and disciplined to maintain control.
The breakthrough arrived in the 23rd minute. Running onto a long ball from the defensive line, Nakano calmly lifted a looping finish over the goalkeeper to open the scoring. With momentum fully on their side, Albirex applied even more pressure. In the 36th minute, Jun Yean got in behind the defense but could not convert the chance.
As the first half drew toward its end, Hougang enjoyed a spell of possession, but Albirex held firm and absorbed the pressure. Then, in stoppage time, Nakano struck again — pressing high to win the ball, turning toward goal, and unleashing a stunning long-range shot from nearly 30 metres out that rocketed into the top-right corner. A breathtaking golazo that doubled the lead, sending Albirex into the break 2–0 ahead.
At the start of the second half, Rion Nishimura was introduced in place of the injured Yokohata. Hougang saw more of the ball early after the restart, but Albirex remained compact defensively and managed the danger well. In the 58th minute, Albirex made a triple substitution to refresh the attacking line, gradually regaining rhythm in the final third.
The decisive 3rd goal came in the 80th minute. Nishimura carried the ball from the halfway line toward the penalty arc before threading a perfectly timed final pass, which Nicky Melvin Singh calmly slotted into the bottom-left corner to make it 3–0. In the 84th minute, a second yellow card reduced Hougang to 10 men, and Albirex immediately capitalised on the numerical advantage. In the 87th minute, another move initiated by Nishimura flowed through Danish Khaillum before Nicky struck again for his second of the night. Near the 90th minute, substitute Lee Dongyeol also drove a counterattack all the way to a shot, showing the side’s attacking hunger until the final whistle.
A convincing 4–0 victory at full-time. Nakano’s brace, Nicky’s finishing touch, and Nishimura’s creativity epitomised a well-balanced performance in both attack and defence. Albirex now look ahead to their next fixture on October 27, an away match against Lion City Sailors FC. Thank you for your continued support.
Next Match
Monday, October 27 / 19:30 vs. Lion City Sailors FC
@ Bishan Stadium (Away)
