Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Singapore: Tampines Rovers coach V. Sundramoorthy is banking on former Liverpool and Arsenal winger Jermaine Pennant providing an “important boost” when the Singaporean side host Malaysia’s Selangor in the winner-take all climax to Group E in the AFC Cup on Tuesday.
Ceres La Salle secured one of the tickets to the Round of 16 a fortnight ago but the identity of the other club to join the Philippine team in the knockout stage will be decided in the showdown at Singapore National Stadium.
Selangor currently occupy second place in the Group E standing, a point ahead of Tampines, but the Singaporeans did come out on top in their first meeting after a 1-0 win in Selayang on Matchday Two.
"It's in our hands. We decide our destiny in the AFC Cup. It is a good opportunity for us to make it into the next round, so we will be treating this match like a cup final to give us the motivation to push us through,” said Sundramoorthy.
"We have kept Jermaine Pennant (pictured, in blue shirt) on the bench in the last two S.League games because we really need him for the big one. He is raring to go and that is an important boost for our side.
"Jordan Webb is doubtful, so we will be giving him a late fitness test to decide whether he is fit to start tomorrow."
Opposite number Zainal Abidin Hassan will be without suspended duo Hafiz Kamal and Saiful Ridzuan for the tie and is aware that although a point would be enough for his side to progress, his side are in for a tough test.
"We will want to hold the tactical advantage as it will be very difficult to hold out for a draw over the full 90 minutes,” said Selangor coach Hassan.
"Tampines have players who have good exposure and experience in the domestic and international games. We suffered a big loss the last time we met them even though we had a lot of chances.
"We are looking forward to join Johor Darul Ta'zim in the AFC Cup round of 16 as Malaysian sides are now hungry to show what they can do in Asia."
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Regardless of what happens in Singapore, Ceres side will win Group E and with it home advantage in the one-off Round of 16 tie should they get a victory at home to Lt. Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi Club of Bangladesh.
“We're going to this game with the mindset that we want to finish the group stage on a positive note. We need to get more confidence and momentum for the knockout stage and we can do that with a good result tomorrow,” said Ceres coach Franklin Muescan.
“We want to have that winning feeling heading into the knockout stage. We have a big opportunity to show our home fans that we are the best team in our group and we want to capitalise on that opportunity.”
Opponents Sheikh Jamal, despite their elimination from the tournament, did secure their first-ever AFC Cup points a fortnight ago after a hard-fought 3-2 victory Tampines.
“We are ready, we don't know how Ceres prepared for us but we will do our best to give them a good fight,” said Sheikh Jamal coach Shafiqul Islam Manik.
“Even if we're eliminated from the group, it doesn't mean that we will not take this game seriously. We want to finish the group with a strong game.”
Photo: Lagardère Sports