Albirex Niigata (S) vs Woodlands Wellington

(June 11, Wednesday, 7.30pm, Jurong East Stadium)

Written by: Phoon Jia Hui

The White Swans have got a tough fight on their hands when they host a fresh and fit Woodlands Wellington at Jurong East Stadium.

After the exertions in the RHB Singapore Cup, Woodlands were supposed to play the Courts Young Lions but the game was postponed.

On the other hand, Albirex had to return to league duty as they took on Hougang United and Balestier Khalsa in the space of four days and that saw a sluggish Japanese side turn up.

They were beaten by the Cheetahs 1-0 before they were denied three points at the death in a 1-1 draw with Balestier as they failed to taste victory in two consecutive matches.

The continuous run of games will be exhausting and it will be no surprise if we see Woodlands running the Japanese side ragged.

However, the Rams might be suffering from low confidence, especially after they were thrashed 5-1 by Geylang International at their own backyard in the RHB Singapore Cup.

That followed with a 2-0 reverse at the hands of Tanjong Pagar United at the same venue as they suffered back-to-back defeats and their morale would certainly have taken a battering.

This might be a low-scoring game seeing how compact the Rams can be, while the strikeforce duo of Moon Soon Ho and Chang Jo Yoon have failed to replicate their free-scoring form from last season.

Kazuki Sakamoto has surpassed his goal tally from the previous season, and can be counted upon once again to pop up with a goal or two.

Key Men To Watch

Albirex Niigata (S): Keisuke Ota

Much has been said about Kazuki Sakamoto, but his fellow forward Ota has been instrumental in providing Sakamoto with the chances to score.

Ota enjoys taking on his markers, and his dribbling and crossing will be a nightmare for defenders to deal with.

Woodlands Wellington: Yazid Yasin

With the offense of the Rams blowing hot and cold, it will be safe to assume Albirex will enjoy the the greater share of chances in this game.

Yazid is an excellent shot-stopper, and there is no doubting he has the ability to carry his team past the finish line with a point or even a win by repelling anything throw at him.

Sakamoto and gang will need to be at their best to get past this veteran.

Albirex Niigata (S) – DLWWL

8/6/14      Balestier Khalsa 1-1 Albirex Niigata (S)

5/6/14      Albirex Niigata (S) 0-1 Hougang United

28/5/14    Svay Rieng FC 0-3 Albirex Niigata (S) (RHB Singapore Cup)

23/5/14    Harimau Muda 1-4 Albirex Niigata (S)

14/5/14    Brunei DPMM 2-1 Albirex NIigata (S)

Woodlands Wellington – LLWDL

7/6/14      Woodlands Wellington 0-2 Tanjong Pagar United

27/5/14    Woodlands Wellington 1-5 Geylang International (RHB Singapore Cup)

21/5/14    Balestier Khalsa 1-2 Woodlands Wellington

15/5/14    Woodlands Wellington 1-1 Hougang United

7/5/14       Harimau Muda 1-0 Woodlands Wellington

Head to Head (S.League)

26/3/14    Woodlands Wellington 1-1 Albirex Niigata (S)

23/10/13  Albirex Niigata (S) 3-1 Woodlands Wellington

10/7/13    Albirex Niigata (S) 0-1 Woodlands Wellington

26/3/13    Woodlands Wellington 2-1 Albirex Niigata (S)

11/7/12    Albirex Niigata (S) 2-0 Woodlands Wellington

1/3/12      Woodlands Wellington 0-1 Albirex Niigata (S)

8/8/11      Woodlands Wellington 1-5 Albirex Niigata (S)

10/5/11    Albirex Niigata (S) 5-0 Woodlands Wellington

21/2/11    Woodlands Wellington 0-1 Albirex Niigata (S)