Pennant wants to show what he's capable of

GROUP E

TAMPINES ROVERS 
v SELANGOR

(Tonight, 7pm, StarHub TV Ch 210 
& Singtel TV Ch 116)

Twenty-four hours before the biggest club game to be staged at the new National Stadium, groundsmen were busy working on the pitch, while players from Tampines Rovers and Selangor trained ahead of today's crucial AFC Cup Group E clash.

After an intense weekend of rugby action in the HSBC Singapore Sevens at the venue three weeks ago, and a host of field events over five days in the just-concluded Asia Masters Athletics Championships, the turf still showed off white markings and was patchy in areas.

Looking at the parched pitch, Tampines' attacking star Jermaine Pennant broke into a wry smile and told The New Paper: "It doesn't look as good as I thought it would, but it is still better than some of the pitches we have played on."

The former Arsenal and Liverpool winger, who played in the 2007 Champions League final in front of 63,000 fans at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, where the Reds fell to AC Milan, is set to play a crucial role if Tampines are to overcome Selangor and qualify for the knockout rounds of Asia's second-tier club competition.

The Stags are second in the Great Eastern-Yeo's S.League and have to beat Selangor to advance, while the Malaysian giants need only a point.

The capture of Pennant made headlines across Asia and was regarded as a coup.

While the 33-year-old Englishman has been good so far, he hasn't exactly taken matches by the scruff of the neck.

The former England Under-21 international claimed he has enjoyed his time in Singapore.

"It is easier here, of course," said Pennant.

"The standard is definitely different from the English Premier League, so that's an easy comparison."

His passing technique, crossing ability and skill with the set-piece have shone through, especially in his first AFC Cup outing, in which he had a hand in all the goals in the 4-0 drubbing of Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi.

Pennant has the stats to back him up. In 14 games across all competitions, he has notched up three goals and six assists - he has not scored more than four goals for any of his previous 12 clubs.

NINE STARTS

He was quick to point out he has started just nine games for Tampines.

"There is definitely more to come because I have not started every game," he insisted.

"But I'm settled in now. My target is double figures for goals and assists. I'm more than halfway towards that goal for assists, and there's still more than half the season for me to reach 10 goals."

Of course, the high-profile signing has had to endure some roughhouse tactics.

After coming on as a second-half substitute in a recent 1-1 draw at Hougang United, he engaged in a running feud with the likes of Nazrul Ahmad Nazari and Yusiskandar Yusop.

Pennant understands this could be part of Selangor's game plan too, but claimed it will only spur him on.

"There has been a lot of media coverage and maybe some of the local players in the opposing teams have put a target on me," he said.

"The best reaction is just to contribute to the team and win the match, really."

As a marquee player who has featured at the highest level, Pennant knows what it is like in crunch ties.

"This is a Singaporean team playing opponents from a neighbouring country, at home in this nice stadium.

"It feels like a proper football match. This is what football is about, what professionals live for, and we must all rise to the occasion," he said.

"Before and during the match, I will give my tactical input. Sure, there may be butterflies at the start.

"It is important that we have a good start, complete that first simple pass to gain confidence, and we'll be fine."

“It doesn’t look as good as I thought it would, but it is still better than some of the pitches we have played on.”

— Tampines Rovers’ former EPL star Jermaine Pennant on the state of the pitch at the National Stadium