“Their passing movement and technical awareness as a team is something that we have to learn…” SAFFC head coach Richard Bok

Story by REDintern Kenneth Tan. Photos by REDintern Tan Jon Han

Jalan Besar Stadium, Wednesday, March 10, 2010 - Much was expected of SAFFC after they achieved an impressive 0-0 away draw against China's Henan Jianye two weeks ago. Alas, déjà vu struck as the Warriors fell to a disappointing 0-2 loss against Korean powerhouse Suwon Bluewings back in their own backyard for the first home match of their AFC Champions League campaign, replicating the scoreline when both teams met last year in Singapore.

The game was well-dominated by the Koreans throughout who stamped their class and authority over the reigning S.League champions who created a paltry few chances in front of goal.

Suwon, who brought over the likes of Korean national goalkeeper Lee Wong Jae, former Everton defender Li Weifeng and former Wigan midfielder Cho Won Hee, proved too much for the Warriors who were missing three Singaporean nationals, Shaiful Esah, John Wilkinson and Noh Rahman, due to injuries and suspensions.

"We definitely missed the three Singaporean nationals (in this game) but I am satisfied with the players who came in and replaced them," SAFFC head coach Richard Bok commented at the post-match press conference. "They performed quite well. "

The task of toppling the Asian giants was made then even harder by the dismissal of Croatian defender Ivan Lovric on 56 minutes, which meant they had to play with 10 men for slightly over half an hour.

Suwon's fitness levels were clearly more superior towards the end of the match as they continued to pile on pressure in the last 15 minutes, while some of the Warriors' players were reduced to walking pace.

"We played with 10 men, thus it was difficult for us and Suwon definitely stretched us," said Richard Bok "Perhaps we could have coped at the S-League level. However, at this level, it's very hard."

The turning point of the game was arguably the goal that was conceded right on the edge of half time when Suwon's Brazillian defender Juninho Vendrechovski thundered in a magnificent freekick from 30 yards.

"The turning point is definitely the 45th minute goal that we conceded," Bok lamented at the press conference. "If we had gone into half time with the score still at 0-0, it could have been a different ball game in the second half."

"Their (Suwon's) passing movement and technical awareness as a team is something that we have to learn. We have many years to catch up on that level,” added Bok.

With this defeat, the Warriors drop to the last position in their group table with one point from two games, while Suwon rise to the pole position with four points. Japan's Gamba Osaka and China's Henan Jianye occupies the second and third spot respectively with two points each after a 1-1 draw between the two in Japan.

With the home clash against the Japanese giants Gamba Osaka coming up in just two weeks, Richard Bok will have to go back to the drawing board to rectify the mistakes in this game and motivate his charges to get something from such a difficult game.

The match will be played on Tuesday, March 23rd, at the Jalan Besar Stadium. Local football supporters, please turn up at the stadium once again to give the Warriors your full support!

Video highlights of the game:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYfhJVLONzs