Written by: Phoon Jia Hui

Bruno Castanheira struck the winner three minutes from time as Home United edged Tanjong Pagar United 2-1 at Queenstown Stadium on Wednesday evening to move third in the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League standings.

While he was delighted with Castanheira’s impact, Home coach Lee Lim Saeng insisted it was a team effort which won them the game.

“I think Bruno is a good attacker as he saved the team tonight but of course his team-mates helped him too,” he said.

“I saw our players’ heart tonight, they played with organisation from defence to attack. I think it was a tough game. I also want to credit the opponents as they are good side and I want to respect my opponent.

“I appreciate the players’ effort. We needed the three points in order to catch up with the top. As you can see, the players were committed I really appreciate that.”

With just four points separating them and leaders Brunei DPMM, the former South Korean international believes they are still in contention for the title.

“I think we reduced gap to four points after tonight’s match and it’s possible to catch up at the top. I don’t want to give up and will do my best with the players,” he stated.

His opposite number Patrick Vallee on the other hand, felt that Tanjong Pagar ‘deserved much better’ but was pleased with the team’s overall performance.

“I think if one team deserved to win tonight, that team will be Tanjong Pagar. We showed our standards tonight that we deserve to be in top six. But as i have said before, everything is against us,” he lamented.

“I cannot do anything but just to continue working hard to follow my way because I’m sure it’s the good way. Today we showed which team played football and tried to win after a tough League Cup final which was tough. In the end we lost but I’m proud about my team.

“I cannot blame them, I just told them to keep going like that because it’s very good what we did. You saw one team tonight tried to play good football. Sure, sometimes we make mistakes but that’s bound to happen. I need to keep my team focused, that’s most important for me and we will try to get a result in our next game and we have to keep working.”