ACL Two Pre-Match Press Conference | vs Machida Zelvia
Matchday 2 of the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two beckons, and Our Stags are gearing up for what could be their toughest test yet. Standing in their way are Japanese powerhouses FC Machida Zelvia, the 2025/26 AFC Champions League Elite runners-up, who will undoubtedly pose a formidable challenge for Tampines Rovers.
Following an opening-day defeat to Shanghai Shenhua, Our Stags remain determined to make their mark in Group G and keep their hopes of progressing to the Knockout Stages alive. With their first Home fixture of the 2026/27 ACL Two campaign on the horizon, Tampines will be looking to make full use of their Home ground advantage and the backing of the Tampines faithful to pull off a major upset.
Here are all the details from the pre-match press conference with Head Coach Nazri Nasir and Yuki Kobayashi:
On the Previous ACL Two Match
Nazri Nasir: It was not an easy game (against Shanghai Shenhua). The players showed a lot of character when we were down. We did not give up, despite playing Away from home. Now looking forward, going up against Machida (Zelvia), it will be another tough game. They are among the Top 3 in the J1 League. They are a very physical team, but now that we are back at our Home ground, we can take advantage of that.
Yuki Kobayashi: I felt positive about the performance. The players performed better than expected but of course we lost - in the small details such as set pieces, throw-ins, and transitions. When you play against a good team, they’ll punish you with those small details. We must have full concentration and take a good position right away, in and out of possession.
On Playing Against Former Teammates at FC Machida Zelvia
Yuki Kobayashi: Of course as a person, I’m very excited to play against those former teammates and also a Japanese team, but as a player, I try not to focus on that too much. It's just another game, against another opponent. So in any country, any venue, and any opponent that I play, I focus on my role and what I have to do on the field.
On FC Machida Zelvia
Yuki Kobayashi: The opponent is very strong, and they are a big club but of course, there's always a chance in a football match. So we as a team want to make it very difficult for the opponent and try to get three points when the chances come.
Nazri Nasir: Given their strengths, we have to prepare for the second balls and the runs in from behind. I have analysed their games over and over. They are very direct and they play the ball forward as much as they can. We have also got very physical defenders at the back to compete against them. I believe that my players can achieve something.
On Lessons from Shanghai
Yuki Kobayashi: Of course against Shanghai Shenhua and Kuching City, some people might say that Tampines had a good performance but as a player, I don’t like that. The results matter. So hopefully tomorrow with a good performance, we’ll get the three points.
Tampines Rovers vs Machida Zelvia - Tickets are available for purchase on SISTIC! Stadium gates will open two hours before kick-off, with Home supporters entering through the North Gate and Away supporters through the South Gate. Visit the Club’s official social media channels for more ticketing information.
