AFC Cup 2019 Roundup: Tampines in comeback win, Home claim draw

Khairul Amri celebrates after equalising for Tampines (Photo: Tampines)
SINGAPORE, 28 FEBRUARY 2019 – Both Singapore Premier League (SPL) clubs involved in continental action this season started their Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Cup 2019 campaigns this week. Tampines Rovers got off to a winning start, while Home United avoided defeat at home. We take a quick look at each game…

Group F
Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon
Yangon United 1-3 Tampines Rovers
Sekou Sylla 13’ | Khairul Amri 55’, Zehrudin Mehmedović 61’, Ryutaro Megumi 68’

The Stags picked up their first AFC Cup win in eight matches thanks to an impressive comeback in Myanmar. Kadir Yahaya’s charges fell behind early on to last year’s ASEAN Zonal semi-finalists as Guinean attacker Sekou Sylla turned his marker before unleashing a ferocious effort past Syazwan Buhari. But they hit back strongly and Khairul Amri tapped in Ryutaro Megumi’s cross to level, before Zehrudin Mehmedović bundled home his first Tampines goal after Megumi somehow scuffed his effort against the post with an open goal in front of him. The Japanese winger did get on the scoresheet when he calmly buried Amri’s deflected cross to seal his team’s first victory in the competition since April 2017.

Tampines: Syazwan Buhari (GK), Madhu Mohana, Daniel Bennett, Amirul Adli, Irwan Shah, Yasir Hanapi, Shahdan Sulaiman (C), Ryutaro Megumi (Zulfadhmi Suzliman 90’+3), Zehrudin Mehmedović (Shah Shahiran 71’), Jordan Webb, Khairul Amri (Taufik Suparno 79’).
Unused subs: Zulfairuuz Rudy (GK), Hamizan Hisham, Elijah Lim, Mirza Delimedjac.

Next match: Tuesday, 12 March, vs Hanoi FC, Jalan Besar Stadium.

Group H
Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore
Home United 1-1 PSM Makassar
Hami Syahin 63’ | Eero Markkanen 26’

Last year’s ASEAN Zonal champions claimed a credible point at home against their Indonesian rivals, despite not fielding any foreign signings. Korean star Song Uiyoung and Australian midfielder Isaka Cernak were both injured but Makassar failed to take full advantage even though they took the lead. Finland international Eero Markkanen hit a beautiful dipping volley as the half-hour approach, but that was topped by Hami Syahin’s stunning 30-yard effort in the second half as the Protectors snatched a draw. Rudy Khairullah pulled off a couple of good saves, while left-back Aqhari Abdullah shone with two fantastic last-ditch tackles. The downside for Saswadimata Dasuki is that Hami, Fazli Ayob and Taufiq Muqminin all came off injured.

Home: Rudy Khairullah (GK), Faritz Hameed, Abdil Qaiyyim, Faizal Roslan, Aqhari Abdullah, Izzdin Shafiq (C), Hami Syahin (Ho Wai Loon 73’), Adam Swandi, Fazli Ayob (Taufiq Muqminin 52’ (Arshad Shamim 84’)), Hafiz Nor, Shahril Ishak.
Unused subs: Nazri Sabri (GK), Juma’at Jantan, Iqram Rifqi, Nur Hizami.

Next match: Wednesday, 13 March, vs Kaya FC, Panaad Park and Football Stadium, Bacolod City.