27/05/2023
Singapore Premier League
Albirex Niigata FC Singapore vs Balestier Khalsa Football Club at ActiveSG Jurong East Sports Centre
Albirex Niigata Singapore suffered it's second defeat of the season when the Lion City Sailors came from 0-2 down to win 3-2 and at the same time caused a major dent in the defending Champion's title hopes this Season. That scoreline boosted the Shoppee-owned Club no harm!!
Yesterday, the White Swans from Jurong East Stadium took on Balestier Khalsa at their Small Swan Stadium (in reference to the Big Swan Stadium in Japan where their parent Club plays in J2 League). Our passionate field reporter Tiger (not related to the Balestier Tigers) was on hand to experience all the Match day activities and he filed this report as the Swans faced a not-so-ferocious Tigers team.
Tiger arrived some four hours ahead of the 1945hrs kick off as he watched the administrative staff led by PR Manager Hiroki Saito set up Merchandise Stalls, drink and Kirin Beerstalls in and around the Stadium. The drink stall was manned by a local volunteer Summer and she served Tiger an Ayataka Green Tea which cooled him down.
Club Vice-chairman Koh Mui Tee was also on hand to give his staff encouragement s they went about preparing for the match.
The merchandise stall located at a vintage point within the stands was manned by the Club's full-time staff including a former J.League woman player.
A stall where Kirin Beer was sold in plastic cups (a, stipulation by the Football Association of Singapore was manned by Jeffrey Tam a former Geylang United physiotherapist (in1996)and current Albirex Niigata Singapore youth coach. He had stints in other Clubs too. Jeffrey, with his good PR thrilled his customers as he sold more beer than he could drink!! (No hard feelings handsome Jeffrey but you need a shave!!)
Then Tiger made his way to level 3 foyer where he witnessed cheerleaders guiding young children to prepare for a performance to warm the hearts of the paying crowd. This was helped by parents who were on hand to give pep-talks to the young children who were about to face enormous pressure as they would enter the field of play shortly.
Then Tiger went over to the KFC outlet on level 2 to have a meal which he washed down with a second Ayataka drink. "This is the best way to wash down the oil from the meal" said a beaming Tiger.
The kick-off for the much awaited encounter was just moments away! As Tiger took his seat in the stands, the cheerleaders scrambled onto the Jurong East Stadium field to warm the crowd up. A young girl (looked no more than 6) was showing off her somersault moves as she got into formation for the dance performance which went down well will the crowd.
The match referee got the match underway with a 10-second countdown initiated by the match announcer. The first half ended 3-1 in favour of the home side.
Cheerleaders had made their way to the stands near the merchandise stall and Tiger bought them some frozen drinks to cool their engines as they had a full second half to keep the crowd on their feet.
Tiger met a young Indonesian lad who works in Singapore and lives in the East. Said Kiswanto, "I've seen several matches this Season but Albirex Niigata is the icing on the cake for sure. They are a joy to watch on and off the pitch."
As the final whistle was blown, Albirex Niigata singapore had reached the summit of the League Table with a 6-2 hammering of Balestier Khalsa FC.
An exhausted Tiger and Kiswanto then decided to head to a nearby coffeeshop for some local Roti Prata.
Tiger and Kiswanto enjoyed the match and hplan to be back at the same venue for Albirex Niigata Singapore's next home tie on the 6th of June 2023.
You can have an enjoyable evening too. Head down to any stadium where the Singapore Premier League is played. Support your local neighborhood Club. If there are two Clubs in your neighborhood then support both!
