Home United vs Woodlands Wellington

(June 24, Tuesday, 7.30pm, Bishan Stadium)

Written by: Muhammad Yazid

Home United are looking to end their two-game losing streak in the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League as they welcome a rejuvenated Woodlands Wellington at the Bishan Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Losses to Hougang United and Balestier Khalsa respectively has prevented them from closing down on league leaders Brunei DPMM, who now lead at the top of the table with 38 points.

The protectors cannot afford to lose any more points in this crucial period of the season, as a third consecutive loss will see them possibly slip to sixth place and eight points behind the Wasps.

The Rams on the other hand are on high after their most recent 1-0 victory over Warriors FC, just few days after the appointment of new coach Salim Moin.

Salim seemed to have overturned the fortunes of the northern based club after coming back to the club, as he looks to erase the substandard performances and results of Woodlands from the players’ minds before his appointment, including the heavy 5-1 and 7-1 defeats to Geylang International in the Singapore Cup and Albirex Niigata (S) in the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League respectively.

Against the Protectors, Salim knows too well what lies ahead for his team. One would not fault the Woodlands tactician if he decides to take a cautious approach and deploy the soak-and-strike strategy.

Home’s coach Lee Lim Saeng is known for his ultra-attacking style of football and not many opponents are spared as they seek to get to the top of the league.

Former Singapore international Indra Sahdan Daud continues to be lethal in front of goal alongside ex-LionsXII striker Fazrul Nawaz. In midfield, Rams Atsushi Shimono and Taufiq Ghani will have to constantly be on their toes against the Protectors’ Lee Kwan Woo.

With immense firepower in Home’s line-up, it will be a busy time for Rams’ central defensive pairing of Walid Lounis and Milos Jevtic who will be back after serving a one-match suspension.

If Woodlands are to get something from this match, Korean duo Moon Soon Ho and Chang Jo Yoon have to raise their game and find their scoring touch.

Key Men To Watch

Home United: Fazrul Nawaz

If there is one player in any team who has the ability to lift the team closer to the peak of the table, it would be their main striker.

Only when the striker constantly scores, the teams gets more chances to win the game and rise up in the table.

In Home, that striker is no doubt Fazrul. Already having eight goals in his bag being Home’s top scorer, the former international has to get back his scoring boots to win games for his team, at this crucial period of the season.

According to InStat, 89% and half of his passes and shots were accurate and on target respectively.

Woodlands Wellington: Bah Mamadou

The rare goalscorer scored the crucial winner for his side in the game against Warriors FC, to award his new gaffer, Salim Moin, one win in one game.

Not only did he impress everyone by scoring, but Bah was rock-solid at the back together with skipper Rosman Sulaiman. The duo were replacing suspended pair Milos Jevtic and Walid Lounis.

From rising the highest to clearing away crosses to putting himself to good positions to deny forwards time and space by intercepting passes, the 34-year-old was certainly the man-of-the-match against Warriors having had half of his tackles successful, and would be looking to pull off a similar performance if given the chance to start or come off the match against Home United.

Home United – LLWWW

20/6/14    Balestier Khalsa 3-0 Home United

13/6/14    Hougang United 3-1 Home United

10/6/14    Home United 3-1 Harimau Muda

6/6/14      Brunei DPMM 2-3 Home United

30/5/14    Home United 5-0 Nagacorp FC (RHB Singapore Cup)

Woodlands Wellington – WLLLW

20/6/14    Woodlands Wellington 1-0 Warriors FC

11/6/14    Albirex Niigata (S) 7-1 Woodlands Wellington

7/6/14      Woodlands Wellington 0-2 Tanjong Pagar United

27/5/14    Woodlands Wellington 1-5 Geylang International (RHB Singapore Cup)

21/5/14    Balestier Khalsa 1-2 Woodlands Wellington

Head to Head (S.League)

13/4/14    Woodlands Wellington 0-3 Home United

25/9/13    Woodlands Wellington 2-3 Home United’

6/5/13      Woodlands Wellington 0-3 Home United

5/3/13      Home United 0-2 Woodlands Wellington

25/10/12 Woodlands Wellington 0-0 Home United

5/5/12      Home United 3-1 Woodlands Wellington

24/10/11  Home United 2-1 Woodlands Wellington

22/6/11    Woodlands Wellington 1-5 Home United

27/3/11    Home United 2-0 Woodlands Wellington