ACL Two Pre-Match Press Conference | vs PKR Svay Rieng
Tampines Rovers travel to Cambodia to face Preah Khan Reach (PKR) Svay Rieng in the reverse fixture of Group G in the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two 2026/27.
There is no hiding from the disappointment of the previous result, as Our Stags suffered a humbling 5-1 defeat at home against the Cambodian champions.
The result will undoubtedly be on the minds of Our Stags as they look to put on a better display in tomorrow’s clash.
Here are the key details from the pre-match press conference with Head Coach Nazri Nasir and Syazwan Buhari.
On Game Preparations
Nazri Nasir: Our preparations for ACL Two have been challenging, as we had a very tough week. Before coming here, we played in the SPL, had two days off, and then resumed preparations for the next game. Of course, the last game against PKR Svay Rieng was very tough, and we did not expect that result. Now, we are back here for the second leg, which is also expected to be a very tough game. PKR Svay Rieng will be looking to get three points from us, knowing that they also have a very good chance of progressing to the next round. Of course, our chances are very slim, but we are not here just to make up the numbers. We want to put up a good fight. Getting three points would be good for us. The mood is very positive, and the players are looking forward to this game.
Syazwan Buhari: We are looking forward to the game. After what happened in Singapore, I think the players are motivated and better prepared. We want to see what we can do to improve on the things that did not go well the last time. It is all about us turning up tomorrow and bringing the fight to PKR Svay Rieng.
On Player Conditions
Nazri Nasir: After the last game in the SPL, everything is good. There are no injuries in the team, and the players are all quite fit and looking forward to this game.
On PKR Svay Rieng
Nazri Nasir: The team is not easy to beat. When I watched them play against Shanghai Shenhua before they came to Singapore, I felt they were very aggressive for most of the game. They were more dangerous than Shanghai Shenhua. The lesson for us is to avoid making the same mistakes. In our last game against them, two of the goals came from our own mistakes, particularly from losing possession. We need to avoid repeating those mistakes, stay focused and be more clinical, especially in attack. The quality of the players in PKR Svay Rieng is quite high. When you play in the ACL Two or ACL Elite, the quality of play is always better, so we have to be aware of that. There are some key players whom we need to contain and prevent from creating space. We do not want to have the same scoreline as the last game. We want to minimise our mistakes because, at this level, you will be punished for them. We need to stay focused defensively and, when we get a chance, make it count, especially in attack.
On Lessons From the Last Game
Syazwan Buhari: Overall, I think we have to do better defensively and cut out the mistakes we made. At this level, even a small margin of error can be costly, and that is what happened in Singapore. We made those small mistakes, and they punished us two or three times. Hopefully, tomorrow we will be more focused, better prepared and have a better start to ensure that these things do not happen again.
On Different Playing Conditions
Nazri Nasir: The field is bigger than the one in Singapore, and the soil is quite soft in comparison. But whatever the conditions, we have to be prepared. Regardless of the condition of the field, we need to be ready. It is more about ourselves and staying focused on what we have to do. That is the most important thing.
PKR Svay Rieng vs Tampines Rovers - For Stags fans in Cambodia, tickets are available for purchase via the official PKR Svay Rieng website and app. For fans back home, join us for a live screening at Festive Plaza, Our Tampines Hub! Visit the Club’s official social media channels for more information.
