Tampines Rovers romp in Brunei to grab second in S.League

Tampines Rovers sealed second position in the S.League for 2017, and a possible spot in next season's AFC Champions League playoffs, after a thumping 5-0 win away to Brunei DPMM on Friday night.

Singapore veteran forward Khairul Amri signalled his improved fitness and form by notching a brace at Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium. The other goals come from Shahdan Sulaiman, Ivan Dzoni and Hazwan Hamzah (own goal) as the Stags inflicted a worst-ever S.League home defeat on the 2015 champions.

After DPMM started brightly, Tampines gradually found their feet and broke the deadlock on 21 minutes. Ryutaro Megumi produced some superb wing play on the left before squaring across goal for Shahdan to convert from close range.

The Stags' confidence rose as they doubled the advantage 14 minutes later, with Hafiz's speculative shot taking a wicked deflection off Hazwan before deceiving Wardun Yussof in the DPMM goal.

There was time for one more goal just before half-time, with Megumi notching up another assist from the left side for Amri to prod home.

Things went from bad to worse for the home side, whose head coach Steve Kean was serving a one-match suspension. Wardun had to be replaced by Awangku Mu'izzuddin in goal for the second half due to injury.

Jurgen Raab's side kept piling forward to look for more goals after the restart.

They would get their fourth in the 66th minute, with Shannon Stephen showing good determination on the right byline to whip it a perfect cross for Amri to convert for his second of the night.

The rout was complete 11 minutes from time. Substitute Dzoni, on the field for just nine minutes after replacing Amri, stabbed home Shahdan's ball in front from the left.

The result means Tampines can't be caught in second position by rivals Home United.

In Friday night's other game, Tsubasa Sano struck four times to help Albirex Niigata (S) thrash Warriors FC 5-1 to confirm their second successive S.League title.

The four-star performance means that the 23-year-old is now just a goal behind Home's Stipe Plazibat in the race for the Golden Boot.

Home will host Geylang International on Saturday night before the international break, with Singapore facing Lebanon (Nov. 9) and Bahrain (Nov. 14) in two games at the National Stadium.

Brunei DPMM: Wardun Yussof (GK) (Awangku Mu'izzuddin 46'), Haizul Rani (Shahrazen Said 46'), Reduan Petara, Helmi Zambin, Hazwan Hamzah, Vincent Salas (Abdul Mu'iz Sisa 35'), Azwan Saleh (C), Hendra Azam, Azwan Ali, Rafael Ramazotti, Adi Said

Tampines Rovers: Izwan Mahbud (GK), Madhu Mohana, Fahrudin Mustafic (C), Daniel Bennett, Shannon Stephen, Son Yong Chan (Hafiz Rahim 70'), Shahdan Sulaiman, Fazli Ayob (Irwan Shah 56'), Ryutaro Megumi, Khairul Amri (Ivan Dzoni 70'), Hafiz Sujad