Tampines Rovers boss Jurgen Raab says that his team seem to have bad luck with referees whenever they play defending S.League champions Albirex Niigata (S).
Just like in February's Community Shield when they blew a lead to lose 2-1, the Stags saw red against the impressive Japanese outfit as they fell to a crushing 4-1 defeat.
They also conceded a penalty after two minutes of the second half that made life very difficult at Jurong West Stadium.
Six minutes later, defender Shakir Hamzah was sent off for using an arm on Shoichiro Sakamoto as Tampines trailed 2-0.
Although they would pull a goal back through Son Yong-chan, Albirex proved too strong with their numerical advantage, adding late strikes through Tsubasa Sano and Naofumi Tanaka to leave both with a brace on the night.
The game wasn't as dramatic as the Community Shield on Feb. 26 when three Stags' players were sent off, but Raab was again left scratching his head.
"We have not so much luck if we play Albirex with referees," Raab said. "Sometimes football is very hard.
"I cannot say if it was a penalty or not in the second half after one minute. That changed all and also then this yellow/red card was not clever from Shakir."
But the German coach was proud of the way his players dug deep with 10 men, trailing 2-0 in the second half.
"When you hear this result then it sounds very clear. But I think it was very open for a long time," he said.
"[Tampines] tried to score, they made a goal and we tried to make the draw. I can only say what they delivered in this situation was very well, and I can only say my feelings."
With Tampines dropping down to third with the defeat, Albirex now have a five-point lead at the top, with Home United moving into second after their 2-1 victory over Garena Young Lions on Sunday night.
"This is a top of the table clash. Of course, before the game, we are excited and a bit nervous so it's good for us to win," Albirex coach Kazuaki Yoshinaga said.
"We don't comment on the referees.
"To win by 4-1 some of the goals were quite lucky for us. After this game, we'll forget about it and concentrate on the next game."
Albirex will play Garena Young Lions on Friday night, with Tampines away to Hougang United the day before. Second-placed Home United host Brunei DPMM on Thursday.