Written by: Phoon Jia Hui

Warriors FC replaced Brunei DPMM as leaders of the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League after edging uniformed rivals Home United 3-2 at Jalan Besar Stadum on Friday evening.

It was a result which naturally pleased Warriors coach Alex Weaver as he lauded his players and hoped this was a sign of better things to come.

“They were excellent tonight, they really were as they were in Brunei and this goes to show what this group of players can do,” Weaver enthused.

“We’ve been a little bit complacent at times but again, as have other teams. It’s been an interesting league and I just hope we are on a little bit of run at the right time. Hopefully this is it.”

Miroslav Pejic made his first start since returning from injury and he got his name on the scoresheet with a strike in the first-half, and Weaver was encouraged with the return of his key forward.

“It’s a great time [for him to be back] but he’s been injured [all this while]. He’s had two injuries, he got over one and he suffered another against Hougang United in the Prime League where he got a kick on his ankle and had some ligament damage,” the former Stoke City academy coach shared.

“We’ve been careful with how we’ve brought him back. He’s probably played a little too much tonight, we should have given him about 70 minutes. But he’s done very well to come through the 90 minutes and he deserves credit for that although we need to make sure his recovery is good after that.”

Despite the loss, Home coach Lee Lim Saeng refused to pin any blame on his players.

“I want to take responsibility for the result, that means I’m saying sorry to the Home United fans and the club,” he said.

“But I think losing game is always my fault and I’m not ashamed to see my players. The players tried their best and played according to the gameplan. Of course, is our defenders made mistakes and conceded too easily but in football, you make mistakes.”

On his side’s title chances however, the former South Korean international admitted it would take a miracle for them to win it with just two games remaining.

“There is only six points [from the last two games]. Now top teams’ gap is five points, even if Brunei drew it is difficult because they have a better goal difference, so I think there is no hope,” Lee lamented.