The Way To Win

As world things go; there is nothing more professional than a Japanese thing. And so it shows in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) team Albirex Niigata; who have shown the world how to win when the odds are against you.

With their focus on re-developing the team every season; it is both a boon and bust. Struggling to integrate early on; they had a dodgy early part of the season and it seemed like the cash-rich Lion City Sailors would err sail away with the title.

But with their mantra of eternal growth; they dug deep and grew as the season went on; meaning just when it mattered the most; they surged to their top form. Contrast this to the Sailors; who have more of a 'win now at all costs' mentality; who crumbled under the pressure and lost three games on the trot right at the end to basically hand the title over to their Japanese rivals.

Albirex have been a joy to watch. With a passing game modeled on the likes of Manchester City & Tampines Rovers; they are fluent in possession and easy on the eye. Fueled by the central midfield talent of Kan Kobayashi and the attacking instincts of Kodai Tanaka; they have proved irresistible to handle at times. Add to that one of the Players of the Season in right-back Masaya Idetsu (Singapore's version of Trent Alexander-Arnold); who scored several crucial free-kicks and assists; and they have a legit star quality about them. Their mid-season signing of Fandi Ahmad's son Ilhan Fandi was also a boost; as he settled seamlessly into the Albirex ranks.

Their coach Kazuaki Yoshinaga shed tears at the ned; and I'm not surprised. It was a fairy-tale to begin with.