RHB Singapore Cup 2017 (Quarter-Final, Second Leg)

Home United vs Brunei DPMM

(16 August, Wedesday, 7.30pm, Bishan Stadium)

Written by: Rashid Sulaiman

Despite a two-goal advantage from the first leg, Home United head coach Aidil Sharin has urged his players to keep their feet on the ground when they meet Brunei DPMM in the RHB Singapore Cup 2017 Quarter-Final second leg at Bishan Stadium on Wednesday night.

The two met last Sunday with Home winning 3-1. After a goalless first half, DPMM opened the scoring through their towering striker Rafael Ramazotti on the hour mark.

But things soon went downhill for Steve Kean’s charges as Juma’at Jantan equalised nine minutes later before Faris Ramli netted a brace in the 72nd and 84th minute to seal victory.

Having seen how the Bruneians had their fair share of possession and attempts on goal, Aidil acknowledges that the tie is far from over.

“It was very important to get a first win,” said the ex-international.

“The second game is at our home in Bishan and the boys will be more comfortable. But as I told them, it is only the first leg, we have to remain focused. We need to think that the game is still 0-0 and to win in the second leg.”

The win was important for the Protectors who were seeking to bounce back their AFC Cup ASEAN Zonal Final to Ceres-Negros FC a week prior to the first leg.

“We need to bring back our confidence and winning mentality,” said Aidil, who took over the Home hotseat from Philippe Aw towards the end of the 2016 season.

“That is why we need to win the first leg and the team did well with four key players out.”

Aidil will however be hoping that his regulars will be fit for the return leg as they seek to do one better than last season and advance to the semi-finals.

“We will get the full squad for the next game; Stipe Plazibat, Sirina Camara and Khairul NIzam will hopefully recover from their fever,” he explained.

“Song (Uiyoung) is still 50% from full fitness but I am happy he made the difference in the first leg. We missed him in the AFC Cup (ASEAN Zonal Final) and the past few games.”

If DPMM are to overturn the deficit and progress to the next stage, they would need to be more clinical in front of goal. While they matched Home in terms of performance in the first leg, they were left frustrated by the heroics of Hassan Sunny who thwarted several of DPMM’s attempts on goal.

“The biggest turning point in the game (first leg) was the double save (by Hassan Sunny),” Kean admitted.

“We know that we played well and we can create chances. But you are playing against probably, in my opinion, the best goalkeeper in the country, in this competition and in the league.

“He has made three saves that has totally changed the complexion of the game. We take to Bishan the good performance and the amount of chances we created before they score.”

The Bruneians will likely be without former Chile national team player Daud Gazale who came off worse from a challenge from his opponent in the previous match.

“He is very doubtful for this match,” Kean added.

“It was a very vicious tackle and he fell to the ground,  twisted his pelvis and it goes right down his hamstring and calf. It was a bad twist, such was the force of the tackle.”

Home on the other hand will be without Irfan Fandi, Adam Swandi and Amiruldin Asraf who are with the Singapore U23 National Team squad for the Southeast Asian Games in Malaysia.

But with the key players returning to the squad and young player Iqram Rifqi having a decent run in the first leg, Aidil will have a pleasant selection headache in his hands.

“I told him (Iqram) after the game that he did well and I expect better performance and that is the reason why I put him in the S.League team,” enthused Aidil.

“We have to be careful with these young players and need to know when to play then to ensure that they grow in confidence with each match they play.”

Home United – LDWLW

13/08/17 Brunei DPMM 1-3 Home United (RHB Singapore Cup)

09/08/17 Ceres-Negros FC 2-0 Home United (AFC Cup)

02/08/17 Home United 2-1 Ceres-Negros FC (AFC Cup)

25/07/17 Home United 1-1 Warriors FC

13/07/17 Home United 0-1 Albirex Niigata (S) (The New Paper League Cup)

10/07/17 Home United 1-1 Hougang United (The New Paper League Cup)

Brunei DPMM – WDLLLL

13/08/17 Brunei DPMM 1-3 Home United (RHB Singapore Cup)

28/07/17 Tampines Rovers 2-0 Brunei DPMM

24/07/17 Brunei DPMM 0-1 Geylang International

18/07/17 Brunei DPMM 1-5 Warriors FC  (The New Paper League Cup)

14/07/17 Brunei DPMM 3-3 Geylang International (The New Paper League Cup)