News • July 12, 2017
The New Paper League Cup 2017: Protectors Eyeing Semis Berth
The New Paper League Cup 2017 (Group A)
Home United vs Albirex Niigata (S)
(13 July, Thursday, 7.30pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)
Written by: Rashid Sulaiman
Despite sitting at the bottom of Group A, Home United head coach Aidil Sharin believes that his side are able to clinch a win against Albirex Niigata (S) and qualify for the semi-finals of The New Paper League Cup when the two teams meet at the Jalan Besar Stadium on Thursday.
The Protectors started the campaign with a 4-3 reverse to Warriors FC before being held to a 1-1 draw by Hougang United. With only a point so far in the group stage, the Protectors will need a win by two clear goals against the White Swans to ensure progression.
Although Aidil remains optimistic about his team chances against the defending champions, it might not be smooth sailing for him as Kazuaki Yoshinaga charges have been known to be a tough nut to crack.
âAlbirex is on four point and if we beat them  and Warriors-Hougang play out a draw, it all depends on goal difference to see who goes to the semi-finals. I am not going to focus on the other teamâs result,â said Aidil, who will be without Khairul Nizam and Afiq Yunos as both saw red in their previous match.
âHassan (Sunny)âs return helped the team and you can see the team gained confidence with him. Now it goes down to the last game and we have to win, but Iâm still sticking to my principle of giving the reserves a chance to play.â
While Aidil is contemplating between a mixture of seniors and youth, his opposite number Kazuaki Yoshinaga has vowed to name a strong lineup as they aim to defend The New Paper League Cup title.
âWe will put our best team to win the game because this is a tournament which we want to win. Itâs important that we respect the league and our fans by putting our best team,â said Yoshinaga.
âIt is going to be difficult for the players as they are playing three games in six days, but this is a good experience for the players to make them stronger.â
Although recent results have not gone their way in both this competition and the Great Eastern-Hyundai S.League, the White Swansâ gaffer insist that it’s a good learning curve for his charges.
âOver the course of a long season, a team will have ups and downs when you are not going through a good run of results. But our players are able to bounce back back from that and itâs important for them and the team,â explained Yoshinaga.
With such optimism in Albirex team, Aidil might want to be wary with his tinkering of the first eleven and hand starts to seasoned campaigners such as Stipe Plazibat, Hariss Harun and Sirina Camara against the White Swans.
Suspensions: Afiq Yunos, Khairul Nizam (both Home United)
Home United – WLWLD
10/07/17 Home United 1-1 Hougang United (The New Paper League Cup)
07/07/17 Warriors FC 4-3 Home United (The New Paper League Cup)
03/07/17 Balestier Khalsa 1-2 Home United
30/06/17 Home United 2-3 Hougang United
23/06/17 Albirex Niigata (S) 0-2 Home United
Albirex Niigata (S) – WLLDW
10/07/1 Albirex Niigata (S) 2-0 Warriors FC (The New Paper League Cup)
07/07/17 Hougang United 0-0 Albirex Niigata (S) (The New Paper League Cup)
03/07/17 Hougang United 2-1 Albirex Niigata (S)
23/06/17 Albirex Niigata (S) 0-2 Home United
16/06/17 Albirex Niigata (S) 4-0 Brunei DPMM