SINGAPORE: Albirex Niigata won the Singapore Premier League (SPL) on Friday (October 7) after beating defending champions Lion City Sailors FC in a top-flight clash.
With a four-point lead at Jalan Besar Stadium, a win with two games to go would seal their fifth league title.
Albirex prevailed with a 4-2 win over second-placed Lion City Sailors, fueled by a hat-trick from SPL top scorer Kodai Tanaka who took his season tally to 31 goals.
19-year-old Ilhan Fandi also scored when he opened the game with a successful volley in the fifth minute.
Albirex Niigata followed up on their previous four league wins in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2020, capping a late rebound into the season after failing to top the table after a match week until the 24th round.
Despite disappointment at losing the title at their home stadium, the result confirmed a qualifying berth in the East region for next season’s Asian Football Confederation Champions League for the Lion City Sailors.