Tampines Rovers head coach Jurgen Raab refused to be drawn into controversy after series of questionable referee decisions saw his side surrender a commanding position in Sunday night's Community Shield.
Albirex Niigata (S) won 2-1 before 15,480 fans in the S.League season opener at the Singapore National Stadium after Tampines had three players red-carded and a converted penalty disallowed.
Croatian import Ivan Dzoni slotted home a penalty near the hour mark to apparently give Tampines a 2-0 lead after Daniel Bennett had been fouled. But referee Sukhbir Singh ordered the spot kick to be retaken, only to see Dzoni's second attempt crash off the post.
Sukhbir would then send off Yasir Hanapi (second yellow, 64th) and Madhu Mohana (straight red, 88th) and Ismadi Mukhtar (straight red, 92nd) as Albirex came from behind to win with two goals in eight minutes from substitute Shoichiro Sakamoto.
Raab, who took over as Stags' head coach at the start of this month, was tight-lipped when asked if he thought his team had been hard done by.
��Some photos from today #CommunityShield clash with @ALB_S_FC. Photo: @FootballSLEAGUE pic.twitter.com/lfNnBo6tGm
- Tampines Rovers FC (@MightyStags) February 26, 2017
"I don't want to say anything about the referee," he said. "I will watch the replays to see whether it was the right decision."
The Japanese outfit claimed the first silverware of the season, having bagged an unprecedented four trophies last season, including the 2016 S.League.
"The important thing is the win and that we won a title," said new Albirex head coach Kazuaki Yoshinaga.
"There are a lot of players who are young and not so experienced, so this will stand them in good stead."
Despite the bitter defeat, Raab was pleased with the spirit shown by his reshaped Tampines side, who parted ways with imports Jermaine Pennant, Billy Mehmet and Jordan Webb after the 2016 season.
"It's not easy to lose a match in this style [but I must say I am very proud of the team for what they did until the end," Raab added.
"Maybe this match came too early against a very strong and fit team ... but I'm very optimistic [we can do well this season]."