ACL Two Pre-Match Press Conference | vs Pohang Steelers

This is the moment. Tampines Rovers stand on the brink of history - a win or even a draw in this next clash could seal their place in the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two 2025/26. The Stags have surged into this position on the back of a monumental performance at Bishan Stadium just two weeks ago, where they shocked the continent with a 1-0 victory over Pohang Steelers.

Now, the stage shifts to the Pohang Steelyard. Cold air, steel walls, and a home crowd desperate for revenge. The Steelers will come with everything they have, determined to overturn what happened in Bishan and reclaim control of their campaign. But the Stags did not travel all the way to South Korea to take this chance for granted. The team is locked in for this next test.

Here are all the details from the pre-match press conference with Head Coach Noh Rahman and Faris Ramli:

On the Next Match

Noh Rahman: With regards to the game tomorrow, the intention should be the same. We are going into the game knowing the situation right now. We stand a good chance to progress into the next round, but we take nothing for granted. We are going into the game with the same mindset, and that is trying to get the 3 points.

Faris Ramli: The boys have been working hard, especially in this ACL Two campaign. 3 wins out of 3 is a great start for us, and we just have to continue the good run to progress into the next round. 

On Chances of Winning Against Pohang Steelers Again

Noh Rahman: We go into every game, every competition to try and win games. Obviously Pohang is a very good side, one of the better ones in Asia. So, it is a good test for us because we are also aware that Pohang Steelers didn’t really bring their best players in the last game. We played them in Singapore and I’m sure this time round, they will bring their best squad to win this game. It is a good challenge for us as a team to stay focused and motivated on the task ahead.

On Continuing the Good Run

Noh Rahman: Football can be quite funny and unpredictable. You can play a good game but you don’t walk away with 3 points. But we don’t take things for granted. We know it’s a big task for us. The intention should be the same. The boys are aware of the situation with the table, and it will be a good challenge to test ourselves playing against Pohang in front of a big crowd.

On Adapting to the Cold Weather

Faris Ramli: That’s the life of a footballer. Wherever we go, we need to adapt and adjust to the circumstances. We have been here for 2 days, but as a team, we just have to focus on the task, regardless of the weather. We will try to compete and hopefully, the result goes our way.

On Pohang Steelers’ Key Players

Faris Ramli: In the previous game, we had only focused on ourselves. Yes, Pohang is a quality side. With the strikers and substitutes that they brought on, they kept pressing us in the second half. But we stuck together as a team. We are also a quality side. I won’t focus on them too much. I’m trying to focus on us and hopefully, tomorrow is a good game for us.

The Steelers vs The Stags - Catch the match LIVE on meWatch tomorrow, 6 November at 6pm SGT.

For all Stag Fans in South Korea, online ticket sales are now available on Ticketlink. For all our travelling Stag Fans, on-site tickets can also be purchased at the stadium (Pohang Steelyard), two hours before kick-off. More information can be found on the club's official social media channels.