The Sailors reclaim the Community Shield thanks to a first-half brace from Ilhan Fandi
Lion City Sailors were crowned Playback Community Shield winners after beating Tampines Rovers 2-0 at Jalan Besar on Sunday (6 September).
Just 22 days since the National Team last played at Jalan Besar, new signing Ilhan Fandi returned to his familiar stomping ground as he picked up where he left off from the AFF Championships to help the SPL Champions reclaim the Community Shield, which they lost last year to the Stags.
Photo: SportPlus.sg / Isis Ang
Ilhan was one of seven Sailor debutants in the starting line-up, while Nazri Nasir handed Zharfan Rohaizad a debut in goal ahead of club captain Syazwan Buhari.
The Sailors showed their early intent through Matthias Phaëton, who eased past the Tampines defence in the opening minutes. The 26-year old was eventually involved in the opening goal in the 17th minute from the left, linking up with Bart Ramselaar and Diogo Costa, whose cross found Ilhan Fandi, heading past Zharfan ahead of Dylan Fox.
Ilhan doubled the Sailors’ lead just 10 minutes later, exchanging a quick 1-2 down the right flank with Farhan Zulkifli for the 23-year old’s scuffed shot to roll past a helpless Zharfan.
Photo: SportPlus.sg / Isis Ang
Tampines had the chance to narrow the deficit in the 33rd minute with Yuki Kobayashi’s long ball looping over goalkeeper Victor Aznar, only for last season’s Player Of The Year Hide Higashikawa to hit the post.
The Stags had another chance just before half-time, but Seiga Sumi’s thunderous long range attempt was denied by the woodwork once again.
Head Coach Nazri Nasir made a tactical switch at half-time, bringing on 18-year old Kenshin Yamazaki for Faris Ramli, but the Stags struggled to find a breakthrough against a disciplined Sailors’ defence.
Photo: SportPlus.sg / Isis Ang
“We got three great chances to come back.. had Hide scored the goal, I think we’ll have a different story” said the 55-year old in the post-match press conference, as his team was made to rue missed chances.
“I think we just lack our finishing touch up front, we need to go back to the training ground and work on that, but other than that I think we gave them a fight”, echoed Faris.
In the 66th minute, both sides made a series of substitutions but the Stags found themselves down to 10-men temporarily, when Seiga Sumi was deemed to have exceeded the new 10-second substitution rule while coming off and his replacement Raoul Suhaimi had to wait till the next stoppage, before coming on.
Photo: SportPlus.sg / Isis Ang
While Nazri was ‘frustrated’ with the mini debacle, he respected the new law of the game.
“The rule is happening in the World Cup, so what can I say? It’s just the rule, the changes right now so we just have to accept it”.
Interim Head Coach Varo Moreno had the luxury to utilise 7 players off the bench, including debuts for the trio of Jorge Karseladze, Antonio Mance and former Liverpool man Bobby Adekanye. A sharp contrast to the Tampines bench, which was largely made up of youth and SPL2 players.
Photo: SportPlus.sg / Isis Ang
Despite the defeat, Nazri took positive from his team’s performance and is confident of bouncing back in time to come. “I believe in all my players, I think we have a good squad,” he said.
For the Sailors, it was a tumultuous week, having parted ways with Jesus Casas just after six months at the club. Interim Varo credited the backroom staff and players for a strong response to lift their first trophy of the new season.
“The changes here that we got in the last few weeks and this is how we show, how we want to be professional..this is the way.” said the 37-year old Spaniard.
It was a dream return to the domestic league for Ilhan Fandi - who last played for Albirex Niigata (S) in their title winning 2022 season. While Ilhan had missed bulk of the club’s pre-season, the forward still looked as sharp as ever, carrying his form and energy from the National Team to Mattar.
Photo: SportPlus.sg / Isis Ang
“I’ve always said that whenever I play, I just want to enjoy the game....and usually when I’m happy, I start to perform well,” said the 23-year old, who also picked up the night’s Man Of The Match award.
Fellow debutant Farhan Zulkifli, who made his move from Hougang, also made a strong case to cement a spot in the starting eleven, supplying the assist for Ilhan’s second.
“I have a good relationship with Ilhan in training, we try to combine in the best way possible and today we showed on the pitch” said Farhan, who also gave credit to the 3,865 fans from both sides in attendance for the atmosphere.
Nazri Nasir will hope to get an improved result when they host Balestier Khalsa at Our Tampines Hub on Friday, 11 September in the season opener. Meanwhile, the defending SPL Champions and newly crowned Community Shield winners take on a new look Hougang side.