The following tactical analysis is from Zach Wu, who’s not a Sailors fan, but we just thought it would be good for someone without rose-tinted glasses to analyse the tactics of our games. We hope to make this a regular column so that we can better appreciate what is going on in our games from a tactical perspective.
The opener of the 2023 season was certainly much anticipated, with both sides arguably adding upgrades to their squad. A rematch of opening day 2020, but the result could not have been anymore different.
Tanjong Pagar approach
The approach from the Jaguars was simple – sit deep in a mid to low block and take advantage of any opportunities on the break.
There was some interesting use of players by Hasrin Jailani. He chose to double up against Lestienne’s threat on their right, moving two former LCS players (and two natural full backs) Naqiuddin and Tajeli onto Lestienne’s side. Elsewhere, Faizal Roslan a natural right footed centreback was forced to LWB (left wingback), Blake at left wing/left forward while youngster Azim Akbar (whom we have seen played as a right midfielder and is listed as such on transfermarkt.com) started at centre midfield, paired in a pivot with Mirko Sugic.
Build-up issues
While Tanjong Pagar are a direct team, being ALWAYS direct would present some issues. It is interesting to note that last season, Tanjong Pagar was the most direct team in the league, as they made an average of 40 long passes per match. Going direct all the time means your play becomes predictable, and you lose possession of the ball far too easily. Here, Pedro Dias on the ball has no options in the build-up stage. There are no midfielders that are free and within a reasonable passing distance from him (red box) and hence is forced to go long.
The LCS players on the pitch would have recognized that there are no immediate passing options for Pedro Dias and thus would squeeze up on him, making it more difficult for Pedro Dias to send an accurate long ball while also being more prepared to win the second ball after the long ball is played.
While it is okay to go direct, there has to be a plan to keep the ball on the ground when necessary, in order to ensure your play does not become predictable. Tanjong Pagar did not have this back-up plan in mind.
LCS approach
With Shawal, Anu, Pedro, Izwan the big names out for the Sailors, they started in their usual 4-2-3-1 shape with the expected names. However, there were interesting tweaks that Vidakovic made to the team that made them far more effective.
Numerical advantage
Vidakovic’s gameplan to pin Tanjong Pagar’s back 5 with LCS’s front 4, leaving 6 LCS players in a 4-2 (from their 4-2-3-1) to shape up against 5 Tanjong Pagar players. With this numerical advantage, it made it difficult for Tanjong Pagar to press LCS, allowing LCS to shift the ball from side to side easily.
1 in, 1 out
While still utilizing the 4-2-3-1 shape, Vidakovic’s changes were subtle but effective. Instead of pushing both fullbacks high up the pitch (as we like to think of attacking football), Vidakovic kept both deep.
This is the key part. While keeping both deep, he kept one infield (like an inverted fullback) while the other would be outfield (like a traditional fullback).
Here (image above), Nur Adam (pink) has the ball on the touchline. CvH (Chris van Huizen) (red) anticipates the ball is being played back to the other centrebacks and moves infield to try and link up with his other defenders instead of hugging the touchline on his side.
Likewise here (image above), Nur Adam (pink) is holding the width on the touchline while CvH(red) is coming infield.
This “one in, one out” is also applicable here. Lestienne (orange) is holding the width down the touchline with the ball. Nur Adam(blue) sees the space ahead of him and makes an underlapping run infield (blue arrow) to create space for Lestienne.
With this simple principle of one infield and one outfield, be it fullback-fullback or fullback-winger, this creates staggering that disrupts the opponents’ shape and allows LCS to progress the ball forward better.
Hami reborn
Hami was a player reborn, having been underutilized last season under various coaches, he delivered a commanding assured display. While small in stature, he was incredibly composed on the ball and was a perfect fit for Vidakovic’s more patient ball-heavy approach, especially in the Sailors’ own third. Hami left the pitch on 81min, but by then he had made 53 passes with a 92% passing accuracy (highest on the pitch), a productive day in the office.
With the departure of Shahdan Sulaiman, Vidakovic filled the void by fielding Hariss back in his usual midfield position. With the added defensive stability by the more mobile Hariss (and having spent the past 1.5 seasons largely in defense honing his game), Hami was able to play a box-to-box role, with the freedom to take more risks on the ball. Hopefully this is the breakout season for the 2019 YPOTY (Young Player of the Year) to stamp his mark on the Sailors team. (Note from Eddy: I’ve been bleating on for years about how Hami is the Singaporean Thiago and now hopefully we get to see him get an extended run in the team!)
Second half
From a tactical standpoint, little changed. Tanjong Pagar continued to sit in their 5-4-1 formation, hoping to nick a goal while keeping themselves in the game while LCS maintained their steady, measured approach to break down Tanjong Pagar’s block.
Aside from the penalty and Shahrin’s header, Tanjong Pagar were unable to create anything of note against the resolute Sailors. Interestingly, Hasrin did not turn to the bench, with 2 pacey young wingers in the form of Khairul Hairie and Zulfadhmi Suzliman eager to run at a tiring Sailors backline.
When Tanjong Pagar opened up the game with more attacking subs, LCS were able to slice them open with their superb individual quality despite a consolation goal at the end by Tanjong Pagar. Hariss Harun referenced this in the post-match conference, when he said that Tanjong Pagar had an extra man at the back, and so the Sailors had to remain patient until the gaps opened up. Importantly, Kodai Tanaka showed that even when half-fit, he can still get on the scoresheet.
Conclusion
Sailors have shown that this is indeed a solid base to build upon, with the defence especially impressive. The Sailors were able to transition the ball from the defense into midfield well but did struggle in generating chances in the final third, perhaps due to the extra man in defence for Tanjogn Pagar.
Hasrin Jailani has reaffirmed that Tanjong Pagar would not change their pragmatic style pre-match. However, there is still a need to innovate as teams would have wised up and taken note of their set piece routines especially. This was extremely apparent at the tail end of the 2022 season where Tanjong Pagar struggled to get the regular season over the line. While keeping to their direct style, they could perhaps take a leaf out of Brentford’s book; getting their foreign midfielders on the ball in open play more would aid them with their lack of creativity.
Written by Zach Wu (Guest Writer)
Edited by Eddy Hirono
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