Garena Young Lions vs Home United

(21 May, Sunday, 7.30pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)

Written by: Rashid Sulaiman

After a midweek trip to the Philippines for their AFC Cup Zonal semi-final match, Home United will now turn their attentions to the Great Eastern-Hyundai S.League as they travel to the Jalan Besar Stadium to face Garena Young Lions on Sunday.

Stipe Plazibat netted an injury time goal as the Protectors earned a 2-2 draw against Global Cebu FC with Adam Swandi scoring the other goal for the club. The last-gasp goal brought joy to the team as they now have two crucial away goals to take into the return leg on 30 May.

But there is no time to waste for the Bishan-based club as they need to prepare for their next S.League match and return to winning ways if they are to challenge for the title.

For Home goalkeeper Hassan Sunny, he believes that the team is keen to bounce back from their previous S.League match, a 3-2 loss against fellow title challenger Tampines Rovers.

“We will surely work our way back in the league. The team have been focusing on recovery since our previous AFC Cup game. In a situation when we are playing so many games, recovery is the key to better performances on the field,” said Hassan.

“For the fans, we will never stop giving our best till we bring the three points home for them,” added the Singapore custodian.

Although Home won the previous meeting with Young Lions comfortably, they might not be having it easy this time round as the latter managed to hold Brunei DPMM to a goalless draw in their last match in the S.League.

The Young Lions did well against Steve Kean’s charges a week ago and had a few decent chances on goal but were unfortunate not to walk away with any point.

Nevertheless, it was an encouraging display from the Young Lions who had gone on a run of seven games without a win and they will certainly hope to replicate that performance against Home.

However, the Young Lions will be without V. Selvaraj on the bench as the former Singapore international has resigned from his post due to family reasons. Taking over from the ex-Warriors FC midfielder is Richard Tardy.

“We are saddened by Selvaraj’s decision to step down from his position but we respect his decision – especially in view of his reasons. He has been a good colleague, both on and off the field, and I personally hope that he will make a return to the coaching fraternity soon,” said Tardy.

“Selvaraj and the GYL backroom setup have done a good job in preparing our boys for the upcoming SEA Games competition and going forward.

“I will work closely with the rest of the coaching staff as we embark on the final phase of our ongoing preparations for the biennial competition,” added Tardy, who will also lead the Under-22 national team at the Southeast Asian Games in August.

Garena Young Lions – LLLLD

13/05/17 Garena Young Lions 0-0 Brunei DPMM

23/04/17 Tampines Rovers 1-0 Garena Young Lions

15/04/17 Garena Young Lions 0-2 Geylang International

08/04/17 Warriors FC 4-3 Garena Young Lions

02/04/17 Balestier Khalsa 1-0 Garena Young Lions

Home United – DWWLD

16/05/17 Global Cebu FC 2-2 Home United (AFC Cup)

12/05/17 Tampines Rovers 3-2 Home United

02/05/17 Home United 1-0 Balestier Khalsa

28/04/17 Home United 3-0 Geylang International

22/04/17 Warriors FC 2-2 Home United

Head to Head (S.League)

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

15/11/15 Home United 2-1 Garena Young Lions