Written by: Aysha Ridzuan

Home United FC vs Garena Young Lions
(Thursday, 17 March, 7.30pm, Bishan Stadium)

Home United will host Garena Young Lions at Bishan Stadium on Thursday night in a bottom of the table clash between the two struggling Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League clubs.

Tipped by many to challenge for top honours with their talent-filled squad in pre-season, the Protectors have only two points after four games and are currently rooted at the bottom of the league table, with the Young Lions are just above them with three points.

The Protectors have found it difficult to convert their chances in front of goal and gel as a team, which is ironic, given that they were the only team to retain most of their first team squad from last year.

Incidentally, the last time Home won a competitive game was against the Young Lions at the end of last season, and they will be looking for a similar result again this Thursday.

Home coach Philippe Aw may be considering a few changes to his team that lost away to Brunei DPMM last week as the Protectors will be without Song Ui-Young and Faris Ramli due to injuries.

The Young Lions who have conceded a total of 12 goals so far, may still have problems addressing their defensive issues as defenders Ashrul Syafeeq and Zakir Samsudin are still recovering from their injuries.

On a positive note, coach Patrick Hesse is pleased to welcome back Shannon Stephen and Muhaimin Suhaimi to the squad and expects the team to be in a much better shape after the international break.

“I think after the international break we will have more players like Khairul Amri who is almost done with his rehab,” said the Frenchman.

“Besides him, I expect Ashrul (Syafeeq) and Zakir (Samsudin) to be available in early April.

“Every game is very difficult at the moment for our young team so we must wait a little until the second round (of the league) which I think we will be better.

“If you see in the standings, Home is not too far from us. They have two points while we have three points so far, so I hope we can win this game.”

Key Men To Watch

Home United: Khairul Nizam

The Protectors are expected to rely on the former LionsXII forward to score much needed goals at home.

Nizam had several of his efforts denied against DPMM last week and it is likely that he will strive to convert his chances against Young Lions.

Garena Young Lions: Fareez Farhan

Fareez had a decent game despite losing to Hougang United last week, creating chances and pulled one back for Young Lions before the Cheetahs scored another one minutes later.

Having already scored two goals so far this season, Fareez is no doubt a major key player for the Young Lions and will be looking to add to his tally this Thursday.

Home United – LDLDL

11/03/16  Brunei DPMM 2-1 Home United (S.League)
03/03/16  Home United 1-1 Tampines Rovers (S.League)
18/02/16  Hougang United 1-0 Home United (S.League)
14/02/16  Home United 2-2 Warriors FC (S.League)
27/11/15  Albirex Niigata 2-1 Home United (RHB Cup)

Garena Young Lions – WLLLL

10/03/16  Garena Young Lions 1-3 Hougang United (S.League)
04/03/16  Warriors FC 2-0 Garena Young Lions (S.League)
25/02/16  Garena Young Lions 0-2 Geylang International (S.League)
20/02/16  Garena Young Lions 0-5 Albirex Niigata (S) (S.League)
14/02/16  Garena Young Lions 1-0 Balestier Khalsa (S.League)

Head to Head (S.League)

15/11/15  Home United 2-1 Young Lions
27/08/15  Young Lions 0-2 Home United
28/04/15  Home United 0-1 Young Lions
28/08/14  Home United 0-3 Young Lions
07/05/14  Young Lions 1-1 Home United