Tampines Rovers opened the 2026/27 Singapore Premier League season with a 2-0 win over Balestier Khalsa on Friday 11 September 2026 at Our Tampines Hub.
Tajeli Salamat’s own goal in the 28th minute put the Stags ahead. Hide Higashikawa headed the second in the 86th minute from a Shodai Yokoyama cross. Baseline.sg and the match protocol both recorded the 2-0 result.
How the goals came
Kick-off was delayed slightly by overcast weather. Tampines forced the breakthrough when a Yuki Kobayashi corner ricocheted off Balestier captain Tajeli Salamat for an own goal. Faris Ramli had a volley ruled offside before half-time.
After the break Balestier pressed without converting. Daniel Goh struck the woodwork from close range, only for the effort to be flagged offside. A late red card for Fudhil Iyadh was overturned after a VAR review. Higashikawa then settled the points, ghosting between Tajeli and Bill Mamadou to meet Yokoyama’s cross.
Nazri’s first league three points
Head coach Nazri Nasir said his objective was the three points after Tampines lost the Community Shield. He praised the defence and singled out Higashikawa, last season’s SPL top scorer and Player of the Match, for the late header. The Japanese forward’s goal was his 33rd for Tampines across all competitions on his 40th appearance.
Balestier coach Marko Kraljevic said his side was hard done by on the own goal and needed more quality in the final third. New signings Shakir Hamzah and Jun Kobayashi were among those missing through injury.
What comes next
The result extends Tampines’ unbeaten opening-day streak in the league. Tampines fly to China next for AFC Champions League Two against Shanghai Shenhua on Thursday 17 September. Balestier host Tanjong Pagar on Saturday 19 September for their first home league match of the season.
