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[AFC Cup] Warriors CRUSHED and ANCHORED ...

Robin Singh (9) celebrated after scored the winning goal
Despite starting off their campaign on competitive mode early ahead the rest in Group E, Warriors FC found things tough going since the second-tier continent club tournament campaign started by chalking up losses against Persipura Jayapura and coupled with away losses to Maziya in Maldives and Bengaluru FC in Bangalore.

With this 1-0 defeat from this returning fixture against Bengaluru, it marked the certainty to see the defending S.League champions' AFC Cup campaign come to another forgettable end, as they failed to progress out of the group phrase for the second time on a roll.

Robin Singh body-checked by Vidosevic
Curtis Osano headed the ball away 
Adding salt to the wound, the fourth straight loss on the Asian level had anchored the most successful Singapore club at the foot of their group with other result on the same evening did no favour to them.

Coming into this game with a number of regular starters not available due to injuries, suspensions and non-eligibility, Warriors' coach Alex Weaver fielded a number of youngsters like Marcus Wheeler, Hazim Faiz in the starting eleven whose performance won applauses from Weaver, himself.

Said the former Hougang United coach:"We fielded five, six young players due to suspensions and ineligibility who played well tonight which I am proud of their effort shown tonight,

"And there are players like Emmeric Ong, who played in the position of Tom (Thomas) Beattie, and our 'keeper Daniel Ong's performance tonight would make it harder for Neezam (Abdul Aziz) to claim his place back, but what's important is the need to keep their feet on the ground."

"For the effort shown and the work rate we put in this evening, I think we performed better than Bengaluru." opined the Englishman during the post-match press conference.

Hazim Faiz (right) one of the young starts in the game
Vidosevic steered the ball away
That notion was, however, disputed by Weaver's counterpart, Ashley Westwood when he took over the session.

"We definitely work harder." said the 39-year-old,"It's about put up your best team in every match and to win away from home is a bonus and the hardest part is to put the ball at the back of the net and I glad Robin (Singh) got it in."

"It's a good win for us and it was a nice, solid performance where we had the control of the game, the next target for us is to get points in our next match and qualify for the next round, that's our aim." added the former Sheffield Wednesday defender.

A 50/50 aerial duel
In a largely uninspiring match with little much to cheer about other than those wasted opportunities and also saw the hosting side being pressured for most of the time in second half, the solitary goal came in the 76th minute when 24-year-old striker Robin Singh placed his shot with a low driver to break the ice.

That strike was deemed enough to seal the fate of the Warriors whom were led onto the field by coach Weaver for a lengthy post-mortem after the final whistle before adjourned for his meeting with the press.

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