Written by: Khalis Rifhan

A new year and a new format for this year’s Great Eastern Charity Shield as Tampines Rovers and Home United will be playing more than just the trophy.

The match on the 21st of February is also billed as a league match and the respective coaches, Tampines’ Salim Moin and Home’s Lee Lim Saeng will no doubt be rallying their charges to seal the three points and stamp their authority in the new campaign.

There have been several changes at both clubs, most notably at the reigning S.League champions who have secured the services of former Singapore international, Salim and he will be assisted by another ex-Lion, Rafi Ali who has been at the club since his retirement a few seasons ago. Joining Salim in the technical area are his former colleagues from Woodlands Wellington, Matthew Tay (goalkeeping coach) and Clement Teo (team manager).

While it may be familiar faces in the Protectors dugout, there have been a few additions to their squad with the likes of former LionsXII midfielder Izzdin Shafiq as well as forwards Bruno Castanheira (Albirex Niigata (S)) and Qiu Li (Balestier Khalsa) joining their ranks for the pre-season tour in China.

The last time these two sides met in the Charity Shield was back in 2012 when Davor Piskor and Gligor Gligorov scored a goal each that night to seal an impressive win for Tampines.

Home United remained winless against Tampines for the next four league matches which stretched into 2013.

But the Protectors perseverance finally paid off as they eventually registered a win against the Stags on their final S.League encounter in 2013. Former South Korean international Lee Kwan Woo starred in that match and played a pivotal role in the heart of midfield, grabbing two goals to seal a 2-0 win for the Bishan-based outfit.

Come on down to the Jalan Besar Stadium on 21st February to find out who will prevail this year and lift the Charity Shield trophy! The match will kick-off at 7.30pm.

Head-to-Head (2011-2013): Tampines Rovers vs Home United

Tampines Rovers: 6 wins

Home United: 2 wins

Draw: 3

2013 –S.League

29th March 2013 (Jalan Besar Stadium) – Home United 0-1 Tampines Rovers

Scorer: Fahrudin Mustafic (63’p)

14th July 2013 (Clementi Stadium) – Tampines Rovers 4-1 Home United

Scorers:

TRFC – Aleksandar Duric (1’, 58’), Kunihiro Yamashita (51’), Khairul Amri (80’

HUFC – Indra Sahdan Bin Daud (53’)

21st October 2013 (Bishan Stadium) – Home United 2-0 Tampines

Scorer: Lee Kwan Woo (71, 96’p)

2012 – Charity Shield

5th February 2012 (Jalan Besar Stadium) – Tampines Rovers 2-0 Home United

Scorers: Davor Piskor (4’), Gligor Gligorov (60’)

2012 – S.League

29th March 2012 (Jalan Besar Stadium) – Home United 0-2 Tampines Rovers

Scorers: Aleksandar Duric (37’), Ahmed Fahmie Bin Jamil (83’)

30th August 2012 (Jalan Besar Stadium) – Tampines Rovers 2-0 Home United

Scorers: Aleksandar Duric (29’), Sead Hadzibulic (37’)

2011 – S.League

1st April 2011 (Jalan Besar Stadium) – Tampines Rovers 1-1 Home United

TRFC: Aleksandar Duric (7’)

HUFC: Frederic Mendy (81’)

25th June 2011 (Bishan Stadium) – Home United 2-0 Tampines Rovers

Scorers: Qiu Li (72’ p), Firdaus Idros (77’)

23rd November 2011 (Tampines Stadium) -Tampines Rovers 1-0 Home United

Scorer: Ahmad Latiff (62’)

2011 – Singapore Cup

Quarter Final (1st Leg)

14th August 2011 (Tampines Stadium) – Tampines Rovers 3-3- Home United

TRFC: Aleksandar Duric (49,80’p, 88’)

HUFC: Frederic Mendy (19’, 55’), Qiu Li (90’)

Quarter-Final (2nd Leg)

18th August 2011 (Bishan Stadium) – Home United 0-0 Tampines Rovers