Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Singapore: Warriors FC claimed a record ninth S.League title on Friday thanks to a 1-0 win over Albirex Niigata (S).
Hafiz Rahim netted the only goal of a keenly-contested clash at the Choa Chu Kang Stadium in the 48th minute; heading home from a couple of yards out after Nicolas Velez had nodded Daniel Bennett’s cross into his path to win it for his side.
The result was enough to see them finish the season top of the table and three points above second-placed DPMM FC, who entered the final day as leaders but fell to a costly 2-1 defeat to Tampines Rovers.
Following a goalless first half at the Jalan Besar Stadium, Jozef Kaplan broke the deadlock for the Stags in the 65th minute and Miljan Mrdakovic doubled their advantage eight minutes after.
Rodrigo Tosi was able to pull one back for DPMM with eight minutes remaining but they had left themselves with too much to do by then, and ultimately slipped up in their bid to win the title.
The win is also Warriors’ first S.League crown since 2009.
Photo: S.League