SINGAPORE – A new-look Albirex Niigata made their highly anticipated first appearance of 2024 on Feb 23, but showed much improvement was needed as they were trounced 7-3 by Balestier Khalsa in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) pre-season tournament.

While the Tigers displayed their attacking prowess, Albirex, who had eight new signings in their starting line-up, were a pale shadow of the side that had won six SPL titles.

They were even struggling to string passes together at times at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

Though it is normal for Albirex to make wholesale changes to their squad every season, coach Kazuaki Yoshinaga, 55, admitted the transition will be tougher this time around.

One reason is that they have Seven of the players in the starting XI were Singaporean, with five being new acquisitions.

The four-time SPL Coach of the Year said through a translator: “Today’s match was a good lesson for us moving forward. The start to pre-season this year has been slower than usual, and I’ll slowly work on it.

“I need to adjust based on the players I have and their needs. Everything must be worked on.”

Albirex were without national goalkeeper Hassan Sunny and seasoned campaigner Ho Wai Loon, who were both on a coaching course.

Zainol Gulam, a recent signing from Hougang United, started in Hassan’s place before being replaced by former Young Lions custodian Dylan Pereira as Albirex made several half-time changes.

While it was both sides’ first pre-season outing, the White Swans were evidently less prepared than their opponents.

Balestier flew out of the blocks, scoring twice within the first four minutes.

Japanese forward Riku Fukashiro, signed from Albirex in the off-season, converted from close range before Harith Kanadi’s set-piece was diverted into his own net by Stevia Egbus Mikuni.

Balestier led 3-1 at the break with Tunisian Ismail Sassi and former J1 League player Yohei Otake netting for Balestier and Albirex respectively, and the goals continued flowing in the second half.

Harith and Kodai Tanaka, also new signings, handed the Tigers a 5-1 lead 11 minutes after the interval, before an own goal by Tajeli Salamat and a fine finish by Arya Igami narrowed the deficit for Albirex.

Alen Kozar then put the game to bed with two emphatic strikes.

Balestier coach Peter de Roo was satisfied with his charges’ performance, as they dictated the tempo and showed fluidity in moving the ball from back to front.

He was especially impressed by the five new signings who started – Tajeli, Harith, Fukashiro, Sassi and Tanaka.

Said the 54-year-old Dutchman: “Having so many new players will take me a bit of time.

“But, recruitment wise, in terms of the way I want to play and the profile of players we brought in... today confirmed what we thought they would add to the squad.”

He added that while his side had lost proven scorers Ryoya Taniguchi (to Geylang International) and Shuhei Hoshino (Albirex), their replacements have ensured Balestier still retain ample firepower.

“There’s still a lot of fine-tuning to be done,” he continued. “But it’s a good start, the boys worked hard and showed the intent of how we want to play.”

As for Albirex, Yoshinaga admitted that he had much to work on before the SPL season kicks off in May.

“There are still many individual problems to solve,” Yoshinaga said. “From there, I will form groups and finally the team, I’ll connect bit by bit.”

In the other friendly at Bishan Stadium, Hougang United triumphed 3-0 over a Lion City Sailors team comprising their Under-21 players.

Ajay Robson, Iryan Fandi and Shodai Yokoyama provided the goals.