Home United FC VS Geylang United FC

Home United FC came into this match looking for successive victories to boost their title aspirations. A week earlier our Protectors had beaten Sengkang Punggol FC 2-1 in a tense match held at the Jalan Besar Stadium. Home United made two changes with Rosman Sulaiman coming in for Juma'at Jantan and Firdaus Idros replacing Chilean Nelson San Martin.

Geylang United FC had in their previous two matches came back to draw for a share of the spoils. Coming into this one, fatigue could be factor against the Eagles after a punishing match against Etoile FC two days earlier.

Home United got off to a rousing start as on 6 minutes, Shi Jiayi opened the scoring after a good cross from Sharil Ishak. Geylang United then responded minutes later when ex-Protector itimi Dickson half volleyed a loose ball against the post. On 16 minutes, Lionel Lewis had to come off his line fast to deny Peter Tomko. Choi Chul Woo's physical and aerial strength was causing Geylang United's defence plenty of problems. Livewire Firdaus Idros used in an central attacking position was supporting Choi well as he got to several knock-downs and lay-offs. On 25 minutes, Geylang had the ball in the net off a freekick but it was ruled out for offside. 5 minutes later, Tomko headed just over from Miroslav Latiak's cross.

On 32 minutes, Jiayi turned provider when he played a superb pass to Choi Chul Woo who chested it and volley it past Siddiq Durimi. It was the Korean's fourth of the season. Going two down, Geylang United Head Coach Mike Wong took off Adrian Danaraj, who was having a poor match. In his place came tough tackler Jonathan Xu. The half ended 2-0 in Protectors' favour.

From the restart, Geylang United chose to stay in their defensive formation.Peter Tomko was often left isolated and he was struggling with the long balls aimed in his direction as Valery Heik over powered him. On 65 minutes, Vasile Ghindaru shot straight at Lionel. Minutes later, Zulfadli Zainal sent Siddiq scrambling when his mis-hit cross nearly found the top corner. On 82 minutes, Captain Sharil Ishak made it 3-0, after reacting well to a ball played into the box.

It was a fantastic result with three goals scored and nil conceded. This was Home United's first clean sheet of the season and one our Protectors will look on building. With the three points, Home United rose to third in the table, 5 points behind leaders Tampines Rovers FC. Our Protectors will get a chance to cut the deficit to 2 points when they take on Tampines Rovers FC next Friday in a "live" match at the Jalan Besar Stadium.

Line-up: Lionel Lewis, Rosman Sulaiman, Firdaus Idros (Sherif El-Masri 68") , Shariff Abdul Samat, Zulfadli Zainal, Valery Heik, Isa Halim, Shi Jiayi , Naufal Omar Ashiblie (Firdaus Kasman 89"), Sharil Ishak, Choi Chul Woo (Juma'at Jantan 85")