Home United vs Albirex Niigata (S)

(August 21, Thursday, 7.30pm, Bishan Stadium)

Written by: Muhammad Yazid

Home United will face fellow title-chasers Albirex Niigata in this game, and both teams will want to come out on top in order to stay in the title race.

The Japanese may be a spot above Home with two additional points, but a loss might see them slip to fifth place.

Even a draw may not be enough for the Protectors, as they are five points behind league leaders Brunei DPMM.

Thus, both sides would be going for the win and no doubt it would be an action packed game, with two strong line-ups.

Home United may have the home advantage here, but as Albirex have shown, they are no pushovers even in the dens of league leaders Brunei DPMM in July, when they nearly eked out a draw, only to concede a penalty in the late stages of the game and lost 2-1.

For the Japanese side, no injuries have been reported and a full squad should be available for this match. That would mean the likes of Sirina Camara have to deal with Kazuki Sakamoto, the top scorer for Albirex.

On the other hand, Lee Lim Saeng’s side will miss the services of Yasir Hanapi, after the winger received his marching orders in the Home’s last game against Tanjong Pagar.

That said, the Protectors still have Indra Sahdan and Fazrul Nawaz within the mix to help them score the goals. The latter in particular has been outstanding this season and should not be taken lightly by the visitors.

Suspension: Yasir Hanapi (Home United)

Key Men To Watch

Home United: Sirina Camara

He has impressively fulfilled duties for Home United in the backline throughout this season. That factor earned him a reputable spot in the clash against Italian Champions Juventus at the newly opened Sports Hub on Saturday, and to top that off, Camara was one of those players in the Singapore Selection side to pull off a decent performance.

The Frenchman has been starring in the left-back position and occasionally fits the centre-back role, and would be keen in getting involved in Home’s attacks against the Japanese.

Albirex Niigata (S): Kazuki Sakamoto

Currently the league’s joint top-scorer with 16 goals, Sakamoto has been the target man in Albirex, with his lethal goal scoring abilities.

The best thing that can ever happen for the forward this Thursday would be scoring and helping his team overcome the Protectors, while overtaking Tampines Rovers to second place.

Home United – WLWWW

30/7/14    Tanjong Pagar United 1-2 Home United

17/7/14    Home United 1-2 Hougang United (StarHub League Cup QF)

14/7/14    Home United 2-0 Singapore Recreation Club (StarHub League Cup Group C)

8/7/14      Woodlands Wellington 1-6 Home United (StarHub League Cup Group C)

3/7/14      Loyola Meralco Sparks FC (PHI) 1-2 Home United (RHB Singapore Cup QF 2nd Leg)

Albirex Niigata (S) – WLWLL

1/8/14      Warriors FC 1-3 Albirex Niigata (S)

18/7/14    Geylang International 3-1 Albirex Niigata (S) (StarHub League Cup QF)

10/7/14    Albirex Niigata (S) 13-0 Police SA (StarHub League Cup Group A)

7/7/14      Tanjong Pagar United 4-0 Albirex Niigata (S) (StarHub League Cup Group A)

4/7/14      Brunei DPMM 2-1 Albirex Niigata (S) (RHB Singapore Cup QF 2nd Leg)

Head to Head (S.League)

27/4/14    Albirex Niigata (S) 4-2 Home United

4/11/13    Home United 3-1 Albirex Niigata (S)

17/5/13    Home United 1-0 Albirex Niigata (S)

1/3/13      Albirex Niigata (S) 2-1 Home United

23/8/12    Albirex Niigata (S) 0-0 Home United

25/3/12    Home United 4-2 Albirex Niigata (S)

10/9/11    Home United 0-4 Albirex Niigata (S)

21/5/11    Albirex Niigata (S) 2-1 Home United

13/3/11    Home United 2-1 Albirex Niigata (S)