Sengkang no longer easy meat: SAFFC

DEFENDING champions Singapore Armed Forces FC begin their title defence today against last season's wooden spoonists, Sengkang Punggol FC.

But do not expect a massacre at the Hougang Stadium tonight.

SAFFC coach Richard Bok said: 'It will be a tough encounter. They have strengthened their squad and are more competitive this season.

'Reaching the final of the SingTel League Cup would have been a big confidence boost for them.'

Poor finishing by the Warriors was the main factor in their 0-2 loss to India's Mahindra United in Tuesday's AFC Cup match.

It is something that they will be looking to improve.

Said Bok: 'We created enough chances to win comfortably but we couldn't convert.

'We must bounce back in this game. The boys want to let people know the AFC Cup loss was just a one-off.'

Forwards Aleksandar Duric and Ashrin Shariff started the Mahindra game but Bok is poised to make changes.

That could mean a start for former international Masrezwan Masturi, their new signing from Woodlands Wellington.

Midfielder John Wilkinson will return to the team after missing the AFC Cup match because of an upset stomach.

There are no injury worries for SAFFC, with the exception of defender Razif Mahamud, who is not yet match-fit after recovering from a torn hamstring.

Said SAFFC captain Mohamed Noor Ali: 'Sengkang look impressive this year. They cannot be underestimated.

'They have three good foreign players up front who can trouble our defence.

'We are still gelling as a team but it's important that we start the season with a win.'

In the Sengkang camp, spirits are high after a good pre-season campaign. They reached their first major final in the SingTel League Cup last month, although they lost 0-4 to Woodlands.

Their adventurous 4-3-3 formation, with Australian Jonathon Angelucci, New Zealander Ross McKenzie and Cameroonian Paul Bekombo Ekollo as strikers, could trouble SAFFC.

McKenzie and Ekollo scored a goal each in the League Cup.

Sengkang's defence is also bolstered by another New Zealander, Cole Tinkler, and ex-Home United defender Firdaus Salleh.

Said Sengkang coach Trevor Morgan: 'They are the champions, but we have every reason to be confident.

'We have a stronger team and our pre-season campaign went very well.

'If we get numbers forward in attack and defend well as a team, it is a game we can win.'



CHAN YI SHEN