ACC Shopee Cup Pre-Match Press Conference | vs BG Pathum United

After a two-month hiatus, the Stags return to the ASEAN Club Championship (ACC) Shopee Cup 2025/26. Group A remains incredibly tight, with every team still in contention and three matches left to play. Sitting third in the group, this next clash is crucial as Tampines look to get their campaign back on track after the earlier setback against Selangor.

That loss was two months ago, and the Stags have grown since. To boost their qualification hopes, they’ll need to overcome the unbeaten. BG Pathum United have yet to suffer a defeat in this competition, including a hard-fought 2-2 draw against defending Shopee Cup champions Buriram United. The Rabbits have shown their quality, but they haven’t managed to beat the Stags in their last three encounters. They’ll be eager to flip the script on Singapore soil.

But Tampines are not ones to back down. Fresh off their historic AFC Champions League (ACL) Two milestone, the Stags are channelling that same belief, mentality, and determination into the Shopee Cup - and they’ll be ready for the fight.

Here are all the details from the pre-match press conference with Head Coach Noh Rahman and club captain Syazwan Buhari:

On Packed December Schedule

Noh Rahman: We spoke about this as a team. December is a hectic period with a number of games. When we enter a competition, we take it seriously, especially when we have the privilege of representing Singapore. We just want to improve our position in this competition.

On Coping with 4 Competitions this Season

Syazwan Buhari: To even be in these competitions is truly a privilege. I feel we’re involved in really important games - the Singapore Cup semi-finals coming up, competing in the Shopee Cup against ASEAN’s best, and ACL Two, which is obviously a huge tournament. The level of competition alone motivates the players. Fatigue aside, we look forward to every game we get to play.

On Positive Results against BG Pathum United

Noh Rahman: Every game we play, against anyone, is important to us. The intention is always the same. We want to go into the match believing we have a chance to get the three points. This game is no different. BG Pathum United are a quality side with many quality players, but we appreciate being in this competition to test ourselves. The players are motivated for these kinds of games.

On BG Pathum United’s Approach

Syazwan Buhari: Based on our previous games together, I’m sure they’ll go all out to swing the head-to-head in their favour. Their coach has mentioned that they’ve been working on their offensive patterns, so with the quality they have, we’re expecting a busy night.

On Return to Jalan Besar Stadium

Noh Rahman: Jalan Besar is a special stadium, so we’re looking forward to it. It’s a new surface too and it looks very nice in the pictures. We’re excited for this game and for the chance to play there again.

Syazwan Buhari: As a player, Jalan Besar (Stadium) is special because there are no running tracks. So the fans are much closer to you. It’s a unique feeling. With the new pitch and being the first team to play on it, it’s a special occasion for us, and hopefully we can get the win.

On the Biggest Challenge of Maintaining Performance Across Multiple Competitions

Noh Rahman: The biggest challenge for me is the headache of deciding which players to use. We have a big squad, and you can’t please everyone every game, and that’s something we have to manage. But that’s my problem to handle. The squad itself is full of quality. What has brought us to this position is the behaviour of the players. Even when they’re not starting, they remain good teammates. That makes my job easier, especially with senior players like Syazwan, Shah, and Faris, who help keep the squad together. Going into games, they lead by example, which makes things easier for us as coaches. With the number of games we’ve played and the top sides we’ve faced, like Pohang (Steelers), it has been challenging. But the team stuck together, and that togetherness, resilience, and teamwork is one of our biggest strengths.

On the Positive Era of Singapore Football

Syazwan Buhari: The recent results for Singapore football have been very positive. As players, there’s more belief now that we can achieve things we never thought possible. It’s the same for this competition. It’s our first time participating, the group is still open, and the players believe we can achieve something here, just like we have in our other tournaments. Based on the results we’ve been getting, I hope we can carry this momentum into the next game. It’s important for us not to get comfortable with what we’ve achieved. That’s something the team constantly reminds one another.