Home United vs Tampines Rovers

(October 2, Thursday, 7.30pm, Bishan Stadium)

Written by: Shawn Lim

The much anticipated clash between giants Home United and Tampines Rovers, who both played in the RHB Singapore Cup semi-finals last week and came away with vastly different results, will be an intriguing match up.

Tampines, who were knocked out on penalties by Balestier Khalsa, will be eager to put their heartbreak behind them as soon as possible in their first match since the loss. With the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League title their only chance for a silverware left this season, the Stags will travel to Bishan Stadium looking for a much-needed win.

Home on the other hand, are still challenging for silverware on two fronts after coming from behind to shock Brunei DPMM FC in the other semi-final match.

Lee Lim-Saeng and his charges are still over the moon about making their eighth Singapore Cup final appearance in their club’s history, but they will have to be wary of the wounded Stags.

The last time these two sides met in May, they played out an entertaining 2-2 draw which saw Tampines coming from behind to snatch a point. This time round, Rafi Ali will definitely be doing everything he can to ensure that Tampines pick up three points.

His counterpart, Lee, will be hoping to keep a clean sheet and ensure his defence stop leaking goals. With a victory, the Protectors can leapfrog their bitter rivals, Warriors FC, to second place and keep their league title chances alive.

Similarly with a win, Tampines will move up to second place. But first, Rafi will have to ensure that his players put the loss to Balestier behind them and behave like the seasoned professionals he insists they are.

Tampines have not won in four league games and meeting the Protectors after last week crushing exit will give them an added incentive to finally pick up a win.

Key Men To Watch

Home United: Lee Kwan Woo

Despite losing to Courts Young Lions 3-0 in August, Lee could have scored a goal for Home United that night, with 60% of his shots on target, according to InStat. Against Tampines, Lee will be looking to covert all his chances to pile on the misery for the Stags.

Tampines Rovers: Ismadi Mukhtar

The on-form 30-year-old winger is currently playing like a man on fire, rampaging down the flanks for the Stags and with almost every cross he delivers, it results in a goal-scoring opportunity.

Unselfish to a fault, Ismadi scored when the Protectors visited Clementi Stadium in May and he will be looking to get on the scoresheet again.

Home United – WDWLD

26/9/14    Brunei DPMM 2-3 Home United (RHB Singapore Cup 2nd Leg)

23/9/14    Home United 1-1 Brunei DPMM (RHB Singapore Cup 1st Leg)

17/9/14    Brunei DPMM 1-2 Home United

28/8/14    Home United 0-3 Courts Young Lions

24/8/14    Home United 2-2 Warriors FC

Tampines Rovers – LWDLD

25/9/14    Balestier Khalsa 1-0 Tampines Rovers (RHB Singapore Cup 2nd Leg)

22/9/14    Tampines Rovers 2-1 Balestier Khalsa (RHB Singapore Cup 1st Leg)

17/9/14    Tampines Rovers 0-0 Albirex Niigata (S)

29/8/14    Warriors FC 2-0 Tampines Rovers

25/8/14    Albirex Niigata (S) 2-2 Tampines Rovers

Head to Head (S.League)

18/5/14    Home United 2-2 Tampines Rovers

21/2/14    Tampines Rovers 1-0 Home United

21/10/13  Home United 2-0 Tampines Rovers

14/7/13    Tampines Rovers 4-1 Home United

29/3/13    Home United 0-1 Tampines Rovers

30/8/12    Tampines Rovers 2-0 Home United

29/3/12    Home United 0-1 Tampines Rovers

23/11/11  Tampines Rovers 1-0 Home United

25/6/11    Home United 2-0 Tampines Rovers

1/4/11      Tampines Rovers 1-1 Home United