Singapore Armed Forces.

SINGAPORE: AFC Cup 2008 quarter-finalists Singapore Armed Forces Football Club (SAFFC) edged past former champions Tampines Rovers 1-0 to reclaim the top spot in the Singapore League standings after 16 rounds on Wednesday.

Japanese striker Norikazu Murakami scored the match-winner ten minutes from time when he headed home a controversial freekick.

Richard Bok’s side, who will host Oman’s Al Nahda on September 16 in the first leg of their AFC Cup quarter-finals, are tied on 41 points with Korean Super Reds but have a game in hand.

Bok admitted that his team’s performance was less satisfying after the Warriors thrashed Dalian Shide Siwu 7-0 last week.

“I’m happy to win the points, but we didn’t raise the game. We can play better than this, definitely,” he told the S-League website.

“But that’s the difference between Dalian (Shide Siwu) and Tampines. They know our strengths and we know theirs, and it’s never easy playing people who know you well.

“I’m just happy with the three points, which pushes them back and keeps us ahead.”