After defending champions Albirex Niigata (S) moved three points clear at the top of the S.League table on Friday, second-placed Warriors FC will be looking to continue their brilliant start to the season on Saturday night.
And veteran attacker Shahril Ishak insists they will be totally focused as they look to extend their unbeaten 2017 campaign against bitter rivals Home United at Choa Chu Kang Stadium.
As expected, Albirex eased to a 3-0 victory over Balestier Khalsa at Jalan Besar Stadium. Hiroyoshi Kamata put the Japanese outfit ahead in the 23rd minute before quick second-half goals from Tsubasa Sano (64th minute) and Ryota Nakai (70th) completed the scoring.
It means that Albirex have won five of their first six S.League matches of 2017 to be one of three unbeaten teams, along with Warriors and Home United.
FULL-TIME at Jalan Besar Stadium - Balestier Khalsa 0-3 Albirex Niigata (S) (Kamata 23', Sano 64', Nakai 70') #BALALB pic.twitter.com/30ZwB7dV6u
- S.League (@FootballSLEAGUE) April 21, 2017
Despite not being given much of a chance of mounting a title challenge at the start of the year, Warriors have thus far proved their doubters wrong.
But Home have also been in excellent form and are in third position, with two games in hand on Albirex and one on Warriors.
While they may be Singapore football's most successful club with nine league titles to their names, the Warriors have not had the best of recent times, having been crowned champions just once in the last six campaigns.
This year, however, the addition of seasoned campaigners like Shahril and Baihakki Khaizan has brought some much-needed experience to Razif Onn's side. And foreign signing Jordan Webb has also impressed with five goals to his name already after moving from Tampines Rovers.
In their past two games, the Warriors also displayed hallmarks of a championship side.
First, against Garena Young Lions, they came back from two goals down with just eight minutes remaining to win 4-3. Then, they went to the intimidating Sultan Hassan Bolkiah National Stadium in Bandar Seri Begawan and returned with a 5-3 triumph over Brunei DPMM.
Yet, although all this bodes well for Warriors' immediate prospects, Shahril is adamant they will not get ahead of themselves with plenty still to come between now and the end of the season.
"I think we have shown our character," said the Singapore international.
"It wasn't easy against Young Lions -- 3-1 down with 10 minutes to go and win -- but it's all in the mind. We still wanted to win that match and we never gave up.
"Against DPMM, it was the other way around, as we scored first then conceded, but we managed to handle the pressure they put on us in the end.
"We know we are experienced players but we still can make mistakes, but we showed our team spirit.
"Now, the key thing for us is to focus and take each game at a time."
Shahril is one of Singapore's most decorated footballers with over 130 caps to his name and three AFF Suzuki Cups. He also captained a young LionsXII outfit to a stunning Malaysia Super League triumph in 2013.