Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Singapore: Tampines Rovers will be gunning for victory in their AFC Champions League qualifier against Mohun Bagan even though they will be without the services of big-name signing Jermaine Pennant.
The Singaporean outfit will take their first step towards this year’s Champions League group stage at the Salt Lake Stadium on Wednesday, when they meet the reigning I-League champions in the first preliminary round of qualifiers.
Tampines have received plenty of attention in recent weeks, both locally and internationally, following the signing of former Arsenal and Liverpool winger Pennant.
The 33-year-old has already shown what he is capable of after weighing in with assists for two of the three goals his side have netted in a couple of pre-season friendlies against Hougang United and Johor Darul Ta’zim II, but it has emerged that he will not line up against Mohun Bagan as he was not registered in time.
However, Stags coach V. Sundramoorthy believes that his side have more than enough quality to get a result in Kolkata and keep their Champions League dream alive.
“Mohun Bagan have the home advantage, they’re used to the weather and the pitch, and that will obviously help them,” he told The New Paper.
“But we are looking to push ourselves, to compete, try to get a result, and maybe go out and get a good run in the Champions League.
“If we do win, we will still face Chinese side Shandong Luneng Taishan and then Adelaide United. Realistically speaking, it’s going to be tough, especially since all those games will be played away.
“Jermaine hasn’t been registered. He won’t play in this game and he won’t be travelling either.
“But we will register him and if we do get past [Mohun Bagan], he could feature in the game against the Chinese side.”
Now into his second season at the helm of the club, Sundram has rung the changes after retaining just five players from last year’s squad.
Nine players have joined from the now-defunct LionsXII, who were disbanded following their expulsion from the Malaysia Super League.
In addition, Sundram has reunited with five members of the squad he led to the Super League title in 2013, including goalkeeper Izwan Mahbud, midfielder Hafiz Abu Sujad and striker Fazrul Nawaz.
Referring to last Tuesday’s 1-0 friendly victory, the former Singapore international added: “That game against Johor Darul Ta’zim II was only the second game we’ve played and we can definitely do better.
“This team are getting there and we are improving, but this is definitely not a new team.
“Most of them are from my [LionsXII] team in 2013 and they know my demands, and they know how to get it done on the pitch.”
Despite finishing second in the S.League last year, Tampines are one of the two clubs representing Singapore in AFC competition this season as champions DPMM FC of Brunei are ineligible to represent the country.
Photo: S.League