Written by: Muhammad Yazid

Home United and Brunei DPMM played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in the first-leg encounter of the RHB Singapore Cup semi-final at the Bishan Stadium as both teams took a short break from the league’s top-of-the-table hussle.

Lee Kwan Woo broke the deadlock for Home in the first-half before Roy O’Donovan cancelled out the opener in the second to leave both teams in a stalemate.

The Protectors had started the game on a brighter note, as Lee had two opportunities to draw first blood.

His inswinging corner which was heading towards goal was punched away by Wardun Yussof before his free-kick flew wide.

DPMM were struggling to create their first chance and when they finally did in the 16th minute, Azwan Ali could only blast his finish high.

From then on, the visitors settled down in the game and started making inroads into their opponent’s half as Shahril Jantan was called into action several times to deny Azwan Ali and Rodrigo Tosi.

The tide of the game then swung in favour of the the Protectors who found themselves in front on 36 minutes.

Qiu Li was brought down in the penalty box by Helmi Zambin and the referee had no choice but to point to the penalty spot.

Up stepped Lee and the South Korean’s penalty was saved by Wardun, but the DPMM custodian could do nothing about the midfielder’s follow-up which rolled into the bottom corner of the net.

The Wasps were keen in getting into the dressing room with something to show for but the Home defence remained stubborn, as Shahrazen Said pulled his shot wide off the post.

Home were showing interest in doubling their lead after the interval, while DPMM were badly in need of an equaliser to start off with.

Bruno Castanheira was through on goal after being released by a long header by Lee Kwon Dakyung in the middle of the park, but Wardun was up to his task as he made himself big to deny the Japanese.

Steve Kean’s side finally found the equaliser to get back in the game in the 75th minute, through O’Donovan.

The forward marauded down the right flank after capitalising on Home’s mis-possession, before coolly slotting the ball past a hapless Shahril.

In the closing stages, Home looked hungrier of the two sides to regain their lead as they never took their feet of the pedal, forcing the Bruneians to rely on some last-ditch defending at the back.

The man in the middle soon blew his final whistle however, and both teams will lock horns again in the return leg on Friday at the Jalan Besar Stadium with everything to play for.