Our Singapore Premier League Team Of The Week #4

Game Week 4 saw Matchdays 5 and 6 unfold, and what a week indeed! It was goals galore in both matchdays with Tampines slotting 7 past Young Lions and Lion City Sailors racking up 8 goals against Geylang International. In this combined team of the week, we have a pretty diverse line-up from a range of teams.

We are including consistent performers in the team of the week but we also have special mentions for stellar performers in either of the Match Days.

As usual, your opinion may differ from ours, so let us know what you agree or disagree with and we’d happily engage in a friendly debate.

The Defence

Zaiful Nizam – GK

I think Zaiful deserves more praise than he is usually given. Yes, he may not have had kept clean sheets but he was pulling some really fantastic saves this week. His performances against Geylang helped the team to a 2-1 victory while he kept Balestier in the running against Hougang.

Yu Tokiwa

Another week and another fantastic display from the Japanese left-back. His assist against Tampines helped the White Swans even the score, and his defensive displays at the back frustrated the Tampines offense. An overall solid showing.

Shuya Yamashita

The Japanese centre-back scored twice against Lion City Sailors in the mid-week fixture to ensure the White Swans remain the only undefeated side in the SPL after 6 matches. Alongside Tokiwa and co, Yamashita also marhsalled out waves of Tampines attacks over the weekend.

Nur Adam

An Assist midweek and a sharp showing against Geylang side shows how mature he truly is as a footballer despite his tender age. At this current juncture, Nur Adam will probably become Singapore’s next long term left-back, much to the dismay of Harith Kanadi.

The Midfield

Diego Lopes

He came in with a hefty price tag. He’s showing why he’s the 3 million dollar man. It wasn’t just that he scored a hattrick or that he created 2 assists but rather, the Sailors looked a lot more expressive and confident when Diego plays for them.

Ryoya Taniguchi

Taniguchi has remained a dependable figure for Albirex Niigata this Game Week. Engineering attacking moves and notching in a goal in each fixture, Taniguchi has flourished in his new attacking midfield role this season (last season he was more of a centre-midfielder).

Gabriel Quak

Another week, another feature. Gabriel Quak is really cementing his place as the best winger in the SPL. While he was decent midweek, he was simply incredible against Geylang International. 2 goals and 2 assists against Geylang, he’s in the squad this week.

Reo Nisiguchi

The Japanese left winger seems to have finally settled in at Tanjong Pagar and scored brilliant goals in both fixtures. He is gelling well with the attacking half of the Jaguars and other teams need to watch out for him and Junior because they have finally found a steady rhythm together.

The Forward Line

Tomoyuki Doi

The Japanese forward already has 10 goals this season. It’s only been 6 games. Doi’s brace in the mid-week rescued a point for the Cheetahs and his 63rd minute strike against Balestier, secured another win to extend their unbeaten run to 5 games.

Luiz Júnior

I have always have been a fan of Luiz Júnior and it is delightful to see the 2020 Team Of The Year player finally find his scoring boots again. The Brazilian scored in the thrilling 3-3 draw against Hougang. While the Cheetahs may have denied him and Tanjong Pagar their first win in the mid-week, he bagged a brace against Young Lions over the weekend to help the Jaguars secure their first win in six years.

Stipe Plazibat

The Croatian Hit Man scored a brace against the 8-0 thrashing of Geylang International and scored a vital goal in the draw against the White Swans. Stipe may be 3 goals away from Doi, but as I have said time after time, never count him out.

Special Mentions Matchdats 5 and 6

All Photo Credits to Singapore Premier League