Written by: Shawn Lim

Albirex Niigata (S) vs Warriors FC
(Friday, 10 June, 8pm, Jurong East Stadium)

Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League leaders Albirex Niigata (S) will hope to carry on their winning run when the league resumes after the international break when they welcome Warriors FC to the Jurong East Stadium on Friday night.

The White Swans can go 10 points clear at the summit if they beat Warriors and will be looking to put some daylight between themselves and closest challengers Tampines Rovers.

Revenge will also be on the cards as the Japanese side’s only loss of the season so far is to their opponents on Friday night and they will be looking to make amends against a Warriors side who are struggling for form at the moment.

Since their 2-0 victory over the White Swans in the reverse fixture, Warriors have gone on a barren run where they have failed to pick up maximum points in nine matches in all competitions and are currently seventh in the league table.

While their title hopes are all but gone, Warriors can still aim for a top four finish, but only if they start finding their scoring boots and go on a winning run.

The visitors’ chances of grabbing a win will be boosted by the return of key players like Shaiful Esah, Ignatius Ang and Syaqir Sulaiman even though Ismail Yunos is unavailable because of reservist.

Albirex Niigata (S) – WWWWW

20/05/16   Albirex Niigata (S) 2-0 Geylang International (S.League)
06/05/16   Albirex Niigata (S) 6-0 Balestier Khalsa (S.League)
28/04/16   Albirex Niigata (S) 3-0 Garena Young Lions (S.League)
22/04/16   Brunei DPMM 1-2 Albirex Niigata (S) (S.League)
16/04/16   Albirex Niigata (S) 1-0 Tampines Rovers (S.League)

Warriors FC – LDLDD

20/05/16  Warriors FC 1-1 Balestier Khalsa (S.League)
17/05/16  Warriors FC 0-0 Tampines Rovers (S.League)
12/05/16  Garena Young Lions 3-1 Warriors FC (S.League)
05/05/16  Warriors FC 1-1 Brunei DPMM (S.League)
30/04/16  Tampines Rovers 4-2 Warriors FC (S.League)

Head To Head (S.League)

18/03/16  Warriors FC 2-0 Albirex Niigata (S)
30/10/15  Warriors FC 1-2 Albirex Niigata (S)
18/05/15  Albirex Niigata (S) 0-4 Warriors FC
14/03/15  Warriors FC 0-6 Albirex Niigata (S)
31/10/14  Warriors FC 1-0 Albirex Niigata (S)