SINGAPORE — Buoyed by their success last season — where they won both the League Cup and the Singapore Cup — Albirex Niigata Singapore have set their sights even higher this year, as they seek to claim a clean sweep of the four domestic titles on offer.

The Japanese outfit are just one of two foreign clubs — the other being reigning league champions Brunei DPMM — who will be competing for honours in the S.League this year. The two teams will go head to head on Feb 13 for the Charity Shield – the match will also serve as the season-opener to the S.League.

Under the guidance of head coach Naoki Naruo, who took charge of the team for a season in 2009, Albirex chairman Daisuke Korenaga believes his team can go all the way in every competition – the Charity Shield, the S.League, the League Cup and the Singapore Cup – that they will take part in this year.

Speaking at a sponsor appreciation ceremony at the Jalan Besar Stadium this evening (Feb 3), Korenaga declared: “Last year was a successful one for us because we won two cup competitions, but this year, we want to win all four titles, starting with the Charity Shield.

“We are confident that we can do it with the team that we have. Especially in the S.League, because we have not won it yet. I’m sure success in that competition will come sooner rather than later.”

With such lofty expectations, Naruo, who led the White Swans to a seventh-place finish in the S.League seven years ago – admits there will be pressure to deliver this season, but is nonetheless relishing the challenge ahead.

“We will have to work hard to make sure the team can play together as a whole,” said the 41-year-old, who spent the last five years coaching J-League 3 side Grulla Morioka. “If we can do that, I’m sure I’ll be able to achieve the objectives the chairman has set for the team.

“I want to play the (pass-and-move) style of football that the Japanese have taught to play from young, and once the team is able to play to their strengths, I’m sure they can provide entertaining football to the spectators.”

This evening’s event also saw the announcement of sportswear manufacturers Hummel as Albirex’s kit sponsors. TODAY understands the deal is worth about S$120,000 over three years.

In addition, the official 25-man team for the season was unveiled today, and Naruo highlighted playmaker Atsushi Kawata as the most exciting player in his team.

“Having watched Albriex play in previous season, I think we need to improve in scoring more goals. And I think Kawata should be able to get the goals for us,” said Naruo. “But the responsibility should not fall only on him or the strikers. The rest of the team must also learn to chip in with goals whenever they can.”

Naruo also played down suggestions that free-spending Tampines Rovers, who recently signed ex-Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant as well as nine former LionsXII players, would run away with the S.League title this season.

“When we get onto the pitch, it’s all about how we perform there,” explained Naruo. “It doesn’t matter how much money a club spends on transfers. As long as we play as a team and perform to our full potential, I’m sure we can effectively compete with any team this season.”