Heavy 0-4 defeat, Singapore coach highly praises CAHN

Tampines Rovers coach Mohamed Noh Rahman highly values CAHN’s power following the significant defeat.

The first leg of the AFC Champions League Round of 16 ended with a harsh result for Tampines Rovers as the Singaporean side lost 4-0 to CAHN club. However, from the visiting coaching staff’s perspective, the defeat was not entirely bleak. They found some positive aspects to hold on to, especially their performance after halftime, which fuels hope for a different outcome in the rematch next week.

Despite the unfavorable result, coach Mohamed Noh Rahman noticed improvements in his players’ style compared to previous encounters. He believes Tampines Rovers have made clear progress, particularly in attack, and will focus on the second leg scheduled a week later on February 18th.

During the press conference, the Tampines Rovers coach spent considerable time discussing the second half – a period when he felt his team played more true to their identity. “We performed better in the second half and showed our style, creating chances but unfortunately couldn’t convert them into goals. If we had scored, the second leg would be very different. Still, I think the team will take the positive signals from the second half to prepare for the upcoming match,” coach Mohamed Noh Rahman began the press briefing.

When asked about the opponent’s strength, the strategist admitted that everything went as expected. The continental knockout stage leaves no room for easy surprises, and facing a deep squad like CAHN is a challenge any team must respect.

“I wasn’t surprised facing a strong team like CAHN. Entering the Round of 16 means no challenge is simple. CAHN has many quality players, not just one outstanding individual but a uniformly strong squad. I’m very impressed with the entire team,”the visiting coach emphasized.

This 0-4 loss also marks the second consecutive defeat for Tampines Rovers against the same opponent within a short time. Previously, they suffered a heavy 1-6 defeat at the ASEAN Club Championship. These figures clearly add pressure, but according to the coaching staff, the team must quickly regain morale, keep faith in what they have achieved, and prepare for the rematch where they hope to deliver a more positive scenario.