Nazri Nasir "We know Kuching City are not easy"

Tampines Rovers FC are preparing to face the challenge of Kuching City FC in the opening fixture of the Shopee Cup 2026/27 at Taha Ariffin Stadium tomorrow, with head coach Nazri Nasir making clear his side is under no illusions about the difficulty of the task ahead.

Nazri acknowledged that Kuching City possesses genuine quality, built on consistently strong performances over the past three to four seasons and bolstered by a squad featuring both capable local players and quality imports.

"We certainly know Kuching City are not an easy team to face. I think they've performed very well, particularly in the Malaysia Super League," he said at the pre-match press conference held at Taha Ariffin Stadium today.

Nazri revealed that thorough preparation has gone into studying Kuching City's style of play, ensuring his squad can deliver their best possible performance in the fixture.

The head coach also anticipated Kuching City would arrive with heightened motivation, particularly given the advantage of playing at home as they look to secure a positive result — especially after their disappointing opening defeat in the AFC Champions League Two (ACL2).

"I think they're very hungry for a result, especially playing at home. They'll want to get a positive outcome," he said.

Nazri also expressed anticipation for his encounter with Kuching City head coach Aidil Sharin Sahak, whom he described as possessing extensive experience in regional football competition.

According to Nazri, Aidil — who is also originally from Singapore — has long been established within the Malaysia Super League scene, giving him considerable experience managing teams at that level.

"I think he has a lot of experience at that level. So, I think it's good to see him back," he said.

Despite the respect shown for their hosts, Tampines Rovers head into the fixture with their own sense of confidence following three to four days of focused preparation, with Nazri describing his squad as being in peak condition and fully ready to face the challenge posed by The Cats.

Credit Photo : TRFC