Written by: Nigel Chin

Warriors FC coach Alex Weaver conceded that the title may be out of reach for the defending champions after they fell to their eighth defeat of the season on Friday.

Goals from Jordan Webb and debutant Taufik Suparno scored early in each half to condemn Warriors to a 2-1 defeat, who netted through Marin Vidosevic midway through the first half.

Weaver’s side are now six points behind league leaders Brunei DPMM having played a game more.

“It makes it very, very difficult for us,” Weaver said of his team’s title chances.

“I don’t know [if it’s a fair result], you look at the chances both sides have had – it was few and far between.

“It wasn’t the greatest game in that aspect but we gave ourselves too much to do with that set-play (for the first goal)… it’s kinda being the story of our season especially since the break,

“just giving ourselves a little bit too much to do giving the opposition opportunities and goals and today it was just a little too much for us.”

Weaver also added that his team missed the presence of Miroslav Pejic, who was suspended for the game.

He also stated that the team struggled with getting players into the right position to create chances.

“When you try to build and develop possession you need to be thinking about finding gaps, to be very aware of what’s around you, you need to get key players into key positions and we didn’t do that,” Weaver explained.

“We did not find [Shi] Jiayi and Hafiz [Rahim] enough and when you’re not doing that, it’s difficult to create things.

“When you go behind by a goal, it changes their thinking so it puts a little more pressure on them.”

His opposite number, Courts Young Lions’ Juergen Raab, was a far happier man at the post-match press conference, understandably so after they achieved their first win at Jalan Besar Stadium in 2015.

“It is very nice to sit here and to say now we have the first win in this season,” Raab commented.

“I think it (the victory) was deserved. This win, especially in the second half, I’m very content with how they played. Very organised, disciplined – that’s what we need for the future. that was my main point in the preparation for this match.

“We have to combine this defensive work with this style of football. In the second half, it was really strong. We had enough chances to make decision in the match, and only allowed one header in injury time.

“That’s what I want to see in the future, i’m very happy for the future. They worked so hard to achieve this victory.”

Raab also praised his goalkeeper and captain Syazwan Buhari, who pulled off several saves in the game to prevent Warriors from adding on to the scoreline.

He also stated that Syazwan has what it takes to make the step up into the national team.

“We know what Syazwan can deliver, and the goalkeeper is a part of the team. He make many good saves especially in the first half,” Raab added.

“Syazwan did his job, but we know what he has as a person and he has the quality I think to make one step more.”