Protectors On A Mission To Snap Losing Streak

Home United vs Garena Young Lions

(31 October, Tuesday, 7.30pm, Bishan Stadium)

Written by: Rashid Sulaiman

Home United are seeking to snap their two-game losing streak in the Great Eastern-Hyundai S.League when they entertain Garena Young Lions at Bishan Stadium on Tuesday night.

Aidil Sharin’s charges who are currently third in the table on 43 points, had their title hope dashed when they suffered back-to-back losses against Tampines Rovers (0-2) and Warriors FC (1-2).

It has not been easy for the Protectors in their pursuit of dethroning league leaders Albirex Niigata (S) as they had to cope with several issues, but Aidil felt that his charges had done well given the circumstances.

“It was not easy for us to play three games in the space of seven days. It’s difficult for the players to perform at the same level for every game with just two or three days of rest but we will try our best for the remaining games,” said Aidil whose team will face Geylang International and Tampines in their final two S.League matches.

In their previous match, Home had to play without the suspended Irfan Fandi and several of their key players such as Khairul Nizam, Song Uiyoung and Sirina Camara who were out on the treatment table.

This prompted Aidil to throw in new signing M.Anumanthan immediately into first team action.

The former Hougang United midfielder has managed to put in good shifts in the three games he has featured and even got his name on the scoresheet against Warriors the last time out.

“I’m happy Anumanthan managed to score because he has worked very hard, especially when he hasn’t played competitive football in four months,” added the Home tactician.

“Don’t forget, he has National Service commitments in the day and to come here to work his socks off for two hours – it’s not easy. I’m also pleased with the efforts of Aqhari (Abdullah) who has been doing very well at right-back.”

Home and Young Lions have met twice in the S.League this season with the former winning both matches (6-1 and 2-1).

But the Young Lions have shown improvement in their performances since Vincent Subramaniam took over the developmental squad after the Southeast Asian Games.

They recently clinched their first win of the season as they defeated Warriors FC 1-0 before falling to Hougang United (0-1) and Tampines Rovers (0-3) in their next two matches.

“It’s a good time to meet them (Home) now. If we take any point off Home, then Tampines will be second (in the table),” said Subramaniam.

“But it won’t be easy. They fielded almost the full first 11 against Tampines and I am quite sure they will do the same against us. For us it’s 0-0 when the game starts and we will take them on from there.”

With the season coming to a close, the Young Lions head coach feels that it is only right for him to hand his players an equal opportunity to play in order for them to gain match experience.

“This is part of the developmental scheme. If you don’t use the other players, how do you call yourselves a developmental team?” explained the former Singapore national team coach.

“They all have training but they have to learn from the matches as well. When I took over on 28 August, I had nine training sessions and four matches in 10 days. You can’t correct the mistakes instantly. Whatever mistake we have, we will show them on the video after the match to rectify it.”

Suspension: Hariss Harun (Home United)

Home United – LWWLL

27/10/17 Warriors FC 2-1 Home United

23/10/17 Home United 0-2 Tampines Rovers

20/10/17 Home United 2-0 Balestier Khalsa

15/10/17 Hougang United 0-2 Home United

30/09/17 Home United 1-2 Albirex Niigata (S) (RHB Singapore Cup)

Garena Young Lions – LWLLL

28/10/17 Tampines Rovers 3-0 Garena Young Lions

24/10/17 Garena Young Lions 0-1 Hougang United

21/10/17 Garena Young Lions 0-4 Geylang International

14/10/17 Warriors FC 0-1 Garena Young Lions

07/10/17 Brunei DPMM 7-1 Garena Young Lions

Head to Head (S.League)

21/05/17 Garena Young Lions 1-2 Home United

27/02/17 Home United 6-1 Garena Young Lions

30/09/16 Home United 5-2 Garena Young Lions

11/06/16 Garena Young Lions 2-2 Home United

17/03/16 Home United 4-1 Garena Young Lions