Deserved to lose

Hougang United coach Alexander Weaver was disappointed with the defeat to Albirex Niigata (S).

While the Englishman conceded that Albirex were a good side and they had lost to a good goal, he felt they did not put in enough effort.

“We gave the Japanese too much respect and failed to close them down fast," he lamented.

“The game was lost with a fantastic shot from a great player.”

The Englishman was nonetheless pleased with the Cheetahs' second-half retaliation, which pushed the White Swans back.

“We finished the stronger team even though our passing was not good enough [but] in the end, we deserved what we got,” Weaver said.