Tampines Rovers — Pohang Steelers : Match Preview and Prediction for October 23,2025

Tampines Rovers’ Defensive Masterclass

The Singaporean club is the main sensation of the group. But don’t be fooled by their six points in two rounds. The 2-1 victory over BG Pathum United is not a story about offense, but about solid defense and immense luck.

Luck and Resilience in Numbers

Just consider the numbers from that match. Tampines allowed 28 shots on their goal, 8 of which were on target. The Singaporeans themselves responded with only six attempts. The Tampines goalkeeper had to make 7 saves to preserve the result. This is the game plan of a deep underdog who consciously cedes possession and territory.

Noh Rahman’s Pragmatic Approach

Coach Noh Rahman doesn’t hide his approach. He openly states that he doesn’t care about entertainment and is ready to earn points by any means. This is the philosophy of a team that will stand firm, rather than rush forward, especially against such a high-status opponent as Pohang.

Pohang Steelers’ Quest for Victory

The Korean giants are traveling to Singapore for a win. The only question is how they will achieve it. And here, everything is clear from the words of the players and the coach themselves. Pohang will not resort to a mindless assault.

Controlled Strategy from Coach Park Tae-Ha

At the press conference, coach Park Tae-Ha emphasized several times that his team treats the opponent with great caution. He noted the need to prepare defensively against Tampines’ technical and fast players. Midfielder Kim Jong-woo confirmed this plan, saying that their goal is to control possession as much as possible to deny the opponent control.

Pohang’s Pragmatic and Dominant Style

This is a strategy of control and attrition, not an open exchange of blows. Pohang is the best team in the tournament in terms of ball possession and passing accuracy. Their recent Asian Cup matches – a 1-0 victory over BG Pathum and 2-0 over Kaya – clearly show their pragmatic style. And the dry statistics shout: in 11 of their last 15 away matches, Pohang Steelers scored no more than two goals.