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SINGAPORE: For a while at least, Beijing Guoan looked on course for an upset win over Tampines Rovers on Wednesday night in their first competitive fixture in the S.League since the competition resumed after the Youth Olympic Games.
The Chinese outfit took a 17th minute lead, but mistakes and lapses in concentration eventually saw the Chinese side fall 5-2 to the Stags at Jalan Besar Stadium.
After the game, coach Zheng Xiaotian blamed a 14-hour "stay" at Changi Airport for his players' lack of focus.
"The players were just not focused, I don't think they have recovered from the airport experience," said Zheng.
Beijing returned to China for a 10-day break from August 10 to 19, and were welcomed back to Singapore by being detained overnight, after they were not allowed to clear customs at Changi. Immigration officers found their S-passes (permit to work in Singapore) had been terminated.
Beijing vice-chairman Guo Feng told MediaCorp the team arrived at 9.30pm on August 19, and with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) office closed, could not sort out the matter till the next day.
"They said it was a technical problem, and they gave us a letter of clearance on Aug 20, which allowed the team to enter Singapore. MOM are investigating the matter and we'd like an explanation from them."
It has not been a good few months for the club. They lost five players to China's under-21 side in July, and chairman Derrick Chan and treasurer Vincent Ho have already left the club due to work commitments.
Wednesday night's result saw Tampines move to the top of the standings, one point ahead of Etoile FC with seven games to play. - TODAY
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