Home United vs Geylang International

(Friday, 28 April, 7.30pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)

Written by: Shawn Lim

Still unbeaten so far, Home United will be keen to make up for lost points when they take on Geylang International in the 2017 Great Eastern-Hyundai S.League at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Friday night.

The Protectors have failed to see out matches from winning positions against Albirex Niigata (S) and Warriors FC, picking up only a point in both matches.

This leaves them in fourth spot, five points off the summit with a game in hand and forward Stipe Plazibat has pointed to the youthful-looking as the issue.

With experience however, the Croatian believes that it is a matter of time before the team learn how to close out matches.

“The positive thing in both games is that we were the team who were leading. Not only did we lead, we were the better opponents and could have scored more goals,” said the 27-year-old.

“It is a good thing that this is happening early in the season and we can learn from this. The team is young, so it is normal things like this happen.”

Plazibat also believes that the gap between the Protectors and league leaders White Swans is not a cause of concern for him and his teammates, and is confident that they will make up the gap soon.

“We have played one game less than everyone else, so in my opinion we still have the upper hand, so our position really does not concern me at all,” asserted Plazibat, who has ten goals to his name so far.

“I have full confidence in my teammates that we will be where we want to be very soon.”

The Eagles will come into the game on the back of a two-game winning run and Plazibat has warned against taking their opponents lightly.

“It is always tricky to play against team which is in good momentum, they show two faces this season so far, but they are still good team,” said the Croatian.

“But we know what we want and we know the way to reach where we want to be, so I hope we will be able to repay our fans’ faith in us.”

Geylang come into this encounter on the back of two back-to-back wins after their victory over Brunei DPMM the last time out and defender Anders Aplin is hopeful of a positive outcome here.

Defender Anders Aplin said: “The wins against (Garena) Young Lions and DPMM were really important for us, because it gave us a boost in confidence and morale after some really poor results.

“Now it is important that we continue strengthening our backline and be more clinical upfront so that we can make up for lost ground and rise up towards the top of the table.

“Home are a very dangerous opponent, but football is 90 minutes and anything can happen, so we stand a very good chance of getting a result against them.”

Home United – DWWWD

22/04/17  Warriors FC 2-2 Home United

18/04/17  Home United 4-1 Yadanarbon FC (AFC Cup)

09/04/17  Hougang United 0-2 Home United

05/04/17  Than Quang Ninh 4-5 Home United (AFC Cup)

01/04/17  Home United 2-2 Albirex Niigata (S)

Geylang International – WDLWW

20/04/17  Geylang International 2-0 Brunei DPMM

15/04/17  Garena Young Lions 0-2 Geylang International

08/04/17  Geylang International 0-4 Tampines Rovers

10/03/17  Warriors FC 1-1 Geylang International

04/03/17  Geylang International 2-0 Balestier Khalsa

Head to Head (S.League)

25/10/16  Geylang International 4-1 Home United

23/06/16  Home United 1-2 Geylang International

15/04/16  Geylang International 2-2 Home United

30/10/15  Geylang International 2-1 Home United

08/05/15  Home United 0-1 Geylang International