Balestier Khalsa FC VS Home United FC

Home United FC left it late in last night's S-League match against Balestier Khalsa FC. Dominating against the defensive Tigers from start till finish, our Protectors could only score in the 86th minute when Chun Jae Woon's deflected freekick zoomed past Ahmaddulhaq Che Omar. Balestier Khalsa were stubborn in defence and its New Zealand defender Paul Cunningham was a rock in defence as they frustrated our Protectors on many occasions.

Choi Chul Woo was deployed as an emergency centreback to cover for Rosman Sulaiman's absence. The latter had suffered a head injury in the last match and is still recovering. With Choi playing at the back, it was left to Captain Sharil Ishak to hold the fort up front, with Korean Chun Jae Woon supporting him. New signing Jun Wookeun made his first start after a substitute appearance in the last match. The first chance of the match came Jun's way on 18 minutes but an alert Paul Cunningham managed to charge down his shot. Sharil Ishak then had two great chances to putHome United in front but on both occasions he was too slow when played through as the Tigers' defence roared back to clear the danger.

At half-time, Shahdan Sulaiman was brought on for Firdaus Idros as Home United shuffled to seek a break-through. Eight minutes into the second half, the substitute nearly created the first goal of the match. His cross was looking good for Chun Jae Woon to smash into goal but once again Paul Cunningham somehow scrambled the ball away to Home United's frustration. With no break-through in sight, Head Coach Lee Lim Saeng threw Choi Chul Woo forward. The Korean's presence in attack certainly gave Home United more options and it was Choi who created the winning goal. On 85 minutes, Choi was brought down at the edge of the box and his compatriot Chun stepped up to launch a firm freekick towards goal. The ball took a wicked deflection off the wall and zoomed past a hapless Ahmadulhaq Che Omar to the delight of our Protectors. Going a goal down, Balestier Khalsa came out searching for an equalizer and they could have claimed a shocking point in stoppage time. Substitute Andrew Tan's shot had beaten Lionel Lewis but Valery Heik was alert to clear the ball off the line and our Protectors record their fifth consecutive victory.

Home United FC's title chase is certainly back on and they now trail second placed Tampines Rovers FC by a single point. Home United FC's next match will be this coming Monday, 5th July when we host Gombak United FC at the Clementi Stadium.

Line-up: Lionel Lewis, Ismail Yunos, Tengku Mushadad, Valery Heik, Isa Halim (Sufian Anuar 84 "), Firdaus Idros (Shahdan Sulaiman 46"), Shi Jiayi Naufal Omar 68"), Chun Jae Woon, Jun Wookeun, Sharil Ishak, Choi Chul Woo,