Stags Stun Steelers To Stay Perfect Atop Group H

23rd October 2025 - A day members of The Stand, young and old, home and abroad, will remember for years to come.

They had just witnessed their team make history - overcoming group favourites Pohang Steelers 1-0 at Bishan Stadium, thanks to an early goal by Hide Higashikawa.

To call it a monumental win might still be an understatement. The Stags not only remain top of Group H in the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two, but have now won their first three matches of the tournament, extending their unbeaten run in this competition to five. More significantly, they have placed themselves in prime position to qualify for the knockout stages - potentially as group winners.

Pre-Match Confidence and Tactical Focus

The pre-match buzz leading up was one of quiet optimism. Fresh from a hard-fought 2–1 victory over BG Pathum United on Matchday 2, Tampines Rovers had every reason to believe they could match up against the giants from Korea. Pohang, a club steeped in pedigree with 3 ACL titles, arrived in Singapore as heavy favourites. Nevertheless, Head Coach Noh Rahman and his players were unflustered.

“We definitely watched their games. Obviously, they have a few players that are potential threats to us, so those are players that we are paying more attention to,” said Coach Noh pre-match. “But as a team, as a squad, and as a club, we’re just going to focus on ourselves and face these challenges together.”

He added, “Every three points in this competition is vital. We’d like to pay attention to our performance, but at this level, I’ll take any three points. We go out there to play our football to the best of our abilities - and to get the result.”

Summer signing Jacob Mahler echoed the same sentiment, saying “We know Pohang is a good side. We go into every game, especially the ACL Two, with the intention of winning the 3 points. We know how important every point is. Of course, we have to understand that Pohang are the favourites, but for us, we will just focus on ourselves - the way we want to play. That’s the most important thing.”

The message was clear - the Stags were not just here to compete. They were here to win.

The Dream Start

There was one change to the lineup in the previous domestic fixture - Singapore International Amirul Adli came in at right-back, while Joel Chew earned consecutive starts for the first time this season.

Even the most optimistic supporter in the stands couldn’t have imagined what unfolded next. Within just 16 seconds of the first whistle, Bishan erupted.

Takeshi Yoshimoto, who has been one of Tampines’ brightest sparks this season, picked up possession deep and threaded a delightful through ball for Hide Higashikawa. The Japanese forward, full of confidence and composure, cut inside his marker before curling a precise effort into the far corner, leaving the Pohang goalkeeper rooted to the spot.

The stadium erupted. It was not just a goal, it was a statement.

Resolute Defence And Composure Under Pressure

Stunned, Pohang attempted to respond with urgency. The Koreans enjoyed spells of possession and pushed men forward, but Tampines’ defensive shape held firm. The evergreen Shah Shahiran marshalled the midfield with calm authority, while Seiga Sumi and Joel Chew combined industry with intelligence to frustrate the visitors’ rhythm. 

At the back, the pairing of Shuya Yamashita and Dylan Fox were both colossal - winning aerial duels, blocking shots, and ensuring Pohang’s frontline were denied space and forced to feed on scraps.

With that, the visitors barely tested Stags Captain and custodian Syazwan Buhari in the first half, who was probably expecting to be busy. That's testament enough to how well the team defended collectively.

Tactical Discipline Seals The Points

In the second half, Pohang pushed higher still, but Tampines continued to frustrate them with compact defending and quick transitions. Trent Buhagiar was a constant threat as an attacking outlet while Glenn Kweh was putting in a dynamic shift with purposeful runs into the visitors' half.

A few nervy moments ensued - including a deflected cross that flashed across the six-yard box - but the Stags’ defensive organisation never faltered. Each tackle, interception, and clearance was met with thunderous applause from The Stand, who sensed history unfolding before their eyes.

The introduction of Faris Ramli offered another outlet on the break, while fellow substitute Saifullah Akbar kept Pohang’s full-backs honest with his relentless pressing in what was another splendid appearance off the bench. Tara Ndao was also brought in to provide fresh impetus to which he duly obliged with his solid hold-up play.

As the minutes ticked down, Stag fans could sense it - a night to savour was within sight. Especially so, when the Stags continued to spurn glorious opportunities to extend their lead through a Trent shot and a Faris header, who both saw their efforts saved.

When the referee’s whistle finally went, the celebrations were deafening. Players embraced, The Stand chanted, and the scoreboard told the story: Tampines Rovers 1 - 0 Pohang Steelers.

Post-Match Reflections: Hide Higashikawa

Match-winner Hide Higashikawa reflected humbly on the performance and the collective spirit that defined the night:

“We understood the importance of this match. After the start we had, we had to defend for long periods - but it showed our performance as a team,” said Hide. “Of course, scoring goals is one of my tasks, but it’s also about putting in the hard work and defending as a team.”

Head coach Noh Rahman was equally proud of his side’s discipline and character in the face of a formidable opponent:

“Obviously we came into the game knowing Pohang is a top team in Asia. But again, it’s about us challenging ourselves at this level - and if we want to be there in the Round of 16, these are the kind of games that test our character, and the boys did just that tonight,” said Noh.

“They were quite resilient with their defending as we were on the back foot for most of the game, but I thought the boys fought and stood together as a team. We had more opportunities to counterattack but couldn’t capitalize - still, all credit to the team. They stayed together and fought for all 3 points.”

A Statement Beyond the Scoreline

With this result, Tampines Rovers now sit atop Group H with a perfect 9 points from 3 matches - ahead of Pohang Steelers and BG Pathum United. Beyond the statistics though, this win symbolises something far greater.

From Singapore’s domestic league to the continental stage, the Stags have shown that discipline, preparation, and courage can bridge any gap.

As Bishan emptied into the humid night, one could sense a quiet realisation among the fans - this was not just another win. It was a night when Tampines Rovers made Asia stand up and take notice.

What’s Next

BG Tampines Rovers will return to Singapore Premier League action on Monday, 27th October against Hougang United, before traveling to Korea for the reverse fixture against Pohang Steelers in 2 weeks’ time - a match that could prove pivotal in deciding Group H’s final standings. A positive result there would put the Stags on the brink of qualification for the knockout stages, an achievement that would further cement their growing continental reputation.

For now, though, the Tampines faithful can celebrate a night that will live long in the club’s memory. A night when the underdogs from Singapore stood tall against Asia’s elite - and triumphed.