When a pacey opposition winger rampages down the flank with the ball in transition, the first BG Tampines Rovers player he is likely to encounter is often not one of the backline defenders, but Shah Shahiran, who would dutifully bound over from central midfield to contest for the ball. Shah’s willingness and ability to track back all the way to the corner flag, if necessary, buys his team precious seconds to organise a proper defence. His speed is sort of a get-out-of-jail-free card when the ball is lost higher up the pitch and the team is caught out of position.