Written by: Shawn Lim

RHB Singapore Cup Final: Albirex Niigata (S) vs Home United

(Friday, 27 November, 8:00pm, Jalan Besar Stadium)

Albirex Niigata (S) will be looking to achieve a cup double when they meet Home United in the RHB Singapore Cup final on Friday night at Jalan Besar Stadium.

The White Swans won The New Paper League Cup in July, and after missing out on winning the Great Eastern Yeo’s S.League, will be eager to add another trophy to their cabinet before ending their season.

Albirex triumphed over Global 3-1 on aggregate in the semi-final while Home got past new S.League champions Brunei DPMM 4-3 on aggregate to set up the clash on Friday night.

White Swans coach Tatsuyuki Okuyama feels that lifting the League Cup has provided invaluable lessons to his young squad and they will use the experience to win the Singapore Cup.

“We had a good experience in the League Cup final and the players are looking forward to another chance to play in a cup final,” said the Japanese.

“We aimed to win three titles this season and even though we didn’t win the league, tomorrow our motivation is to win another title.”

However, Okuyama also warned his charges that they will not have an easy time against the Protectors, who have won the Singapore Cup a record six times.

“Throughout this season we have played against Home United many times and they are a very tough opponent for us,” said the 39-year-old.

“We have very difficult games against them, so I am very happy that we can get to play against them in the final and we will do our best to win the final tomorrow.”

Having invested heavily in youth this season, Home coach Philippe Aw feels that winning the Singapore Cup again on Friday night will send a strong message out to the rest of the clubs.

“This season, Home United have embarked on giving youths a chance, so if we win tomorrow we hope the other clubs will follow suit and give their youth players a chance like the Prime League boys who have potential, a chance in the S.League,” said Aw.

“At the start of the season, we said that despite the effort to groom youth, we still want to challenge for silverware.

“So we are very very happy that we have this opportunity tomorrow and hopefully we can lift the cup and cap off, to me, a good season where the players really went out there and displayed good football.”

Aw also asserted that regardless of the result on Friday night, it is prerogative that his team puts on a performance for the fans.

“It is a good chance for Home United to display the good brand of football we have been playing whole season,” said the 39-year-old.

“The best chance is in a cup final to present good football to the fans. We hope for an exciting match tomorrow and there is no better way to do by playing against Albirex, who also play good football.

“We looked forward to it and our boys are geared up to end the season on a winning note.”

Home United – LLLWW

24/11/15  Home United 2-0 Brunei DPMM (Singapore Cup)

15/11/15  Home United 2-1 Courts Young Lions (S.League)

08/11/15  Home United 2-3 Tampines Rovers (S.League)

05/11/15  Home United 1-2 Albirex Niigata (S) (S.League)

02/11/15  Harimau Muda 1-0 Home United (S.League)

Albirex Niigata (S) – LWLWW

24/11/15  Albirex Niigata (S) 2-1 Global FC (Singapore Cup)

20/11/15  Albirex Niigata (S) 1-0 Hougang United (S.League)

13/11/15  Albirex Niigata (S) 0-1 Tampines Rovers (S.League)

05/11/15  Home United 1-2 Albirex Niigata (S) (S.League)

02/11/15  Albirex Niigata (S) 0-1 Courts Young Lions (S.League)