Warriors hotshot Behe vows not to waste chances
Warriors teammate Ang is confident the S.League's joint-top scorer can be more clinical
WARRIORS FC v ALBIREX NIIGATA
(Tomorrow, 7.30pm, StarHub TV Ch 112/205 & 76.25MHz )
He scored his fourth goal in as many games against Balestier Khalsa last Friday to move joint-top of the Great Eastern-Yeo's S.League top scorer's chart (alongside Atsushi Kawata and Stipe Plazibat), but Jonathan Behe could have bagged a few more had he been more clinical with his chances.
That has largely been the story of the striker's season so far.
He has been scoring goals, but he also been wasting opportunities, including a late penalty when the Warriors fell 3-1 at Brunei DPMM on Feb 27.
A week earlier, the Frenchman was also guilty of wasting a couple of chances during his side's 2-0 victory over the Young Lions, although talk then revolved around his compatriot Ryan Bertrand's performance in the Young Lions goal.
RESULTS OVER GOALS
As the Warriors prepare for their clash with league leaders Albirex Niigata at Jalan Besar Stadium tomorrow, the 1.87m-tall striker insists that results matter more than the number of goals he chalks up.
"My record is good, but I can always do better," the 24-year-old told The New Paper.
"But, what concerns me most is that my team win."
The Warriors are currently sixth after four matches, three points adrift of joint-leaders Albirex Niigata and DPMM, with the latter having played a game more.
If Behe starts firing on all cylinders, teammate Ignatius Ang says he will prove to be invaluable to the Warriors as the record nine-time S.League champions look to climb the table.
The 23-year-old winger said: "Missing chances are part and parcel of being a striker. But, it would be good if he can be (more) clinical.
"His finishing in training is quite on point. Hopefully, he can transfer that into matches."
Ang believes Behe needs a few more games to show the kind of ruthlessness in front of goal that prompted the Warriors to sign him from French fourth division side Toulon-Le Las in January.
Reflecting on his time in Europe, Behe said: "I played in Ligue 2, so I haven't played against any big names.
"The level in France is still very difficult, with a lot of tough teams defensively.
"They also play at a good technical level."
Behe is no stranger to football in South-east Asia, having turned out for Thai Premier League (TPL) outfit BEC Tero Sasana three years ago.
"The TPL is different from the S.League. The pace of the game there is faster and they have better fitness," he said.
Ang is in no doubt that his teammate will adapt to his new surroundings, pointing out that Behe is a good dribbler and an aerial threat.
STATISTICS
"His goal statistics do not lie," said Ang.
"For a lanky guy like him to dribble at such pace is quite amazing.
"His height also allows him to knock the ball down for other players."
For the Warriors to grab their second win of the season, they will need Behe to fire tomorrow.
"Albirex are a good side, so it will be good if he can get on the scoresheet," Ang said.
"However, I think we have other players who are also capable of scoring."
Said Behe: "Even (Lionel) Messi misses, so everything is okay for me now.
"I approach all games in the same way; I focus on what I bring to my team.
"If I work well, the goals will come naturally."
By the numbers 4
Warriors FC striker Jonathan Behe is the S.League's joint-top scorer with four goals from four matches. He is joined at the summit by Hougang United's Stipe Plazibat and Albirex Niigata's Atsushi Kawata.
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