Charity Shield: Tampines clinched the unprecedented third with 2-1 win over Warriors

Kunihiro Yamashita (left) opened account for Stags

A wet surface greeted the two teams and crowds at the Jalan Besar Stadium for the season curtain raiser - the Great Eastern Charity Shield match between Tampines Rovers and Warriors FC.

The defending league champions got their act together in less than 20 minutes to snatch a two-goal lead through their new Japanese import Kunihiro Yamashita in the sixth minute with Lions striker Khairul Amri signalled his return to the Stags seven minutes later to double the tally.

(L-R) Shimpei Sakurada and Khairul Amri in action

Decked in their new dark-coloured home outfit, it did look as if the team formerly known as SAFFC looked pretty gloomy with their inability to ruffle the feathers of their arch-rivals in domestic scene with the likes of another new addition to the Tampines backline Shaiful Esah guarding the doors in a four-men defence setup that departed from their usual three at the back.

It was only a much better showing in the second half that salvaged some pride for the eighth-time S.League champions with a consolation from another Lions striker Sufian Anuar five minutes before the hour-mark.

Hassan Sunny (no 1) in his first S.League action since 2012

Not sure if the lack of consistency in the second half by Tampines that saw club chairman Mr Teo Hock Seng made his way down to the sidelines to "express his concern" to the bench (as told).

Speaking to the press on that "show of concern" after clinching the unprecedented third win of the season opener, Stags coach Nenad Bacina revealed the presence of the boss was to "show encouragement" to the team without divulge more details.

Good start for the season for Tampines

On the win itself, the former SAFFC skipper said:"It was a good introduction to the new season and it gives us the confidence with this win.

"While I am pleased with the first half performance, I can't say the same for the second half and we need some time to gel together, since some of our players were away on national duty during the pre-season training." added the Croatian.

Meanwhile, Warriors FC's coach V Selvaraj shared his thoughts on the loss in the post-match press conference.

"We lost our concentration that saw we conceded the first two goals, it was better performance that we did exceptional well in the second half, whilst I am happy with the display, I felt we can do better." said the former national striker who elevated from the assistant role to replace long-serving Richard Bok for the new season.

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