Albirex Niigata FC VS Home United FC

Home United FC's winning streak of 6 matches have come to a halt. Our Protectors needed a last gasp equaliser from Captain Sharil Ishak to rescue a point against the resurgent Albirex Niigata FC. Our Protectors had fallen behind to a Takaya Sugasawa effort on 21 minutes. The goal conceded was our Protectors first in 560 minutes of football. Home United's defensive strength for the match was disrupted with Ismail Yunos' injury a minute earlier. The reshuffle certainly affected the defence's balance and allowed Sugasawa to open the scoring.

Albirex Niigata FC are a resurgent side after recent impressive performances. Most notably, they had defeated leaders Eotoile FC in their last match. The young Japanese side were able to bring the lead into half-time as our Protectors chased the game. Choi Chul Woo was reverted back to his forward role as Home United threw caution to the wind.

On 78 minutes, Home United's efforts finally paid off as Shi Jiayi sweetly struck freekick gave Albirex's goalkeeper no chance. The scorer was to prove villian on the stroke of full-time when he lost possession and Takuya Sugasawa doubled his tally to give Albirex Niigata FC the lead. With so little time left, our Protectors never gave up and conjured a second equalizer. Sharil Ishak somehow managed to squeeze his shot past Albirex's custodian Yoshito Matsushita to stun the Japanese fans, who were still celebrating from their goal a minute earlier.

It was a precious point in the end and our Protectors remain within touching distance from leaders Etoile FC. A winning run has come to an end and this Friday, our Protectors looks to start another run against arch rivals SAFFC.

Line-up: Lionel Lewis, Ismail Yunos (Zulfadli Zainal 20"), Rosman Sulaiman, Valery Heik, Isa Halim (Sufian Anuar 82"), Shahdan Sulaiman, Shi Jiayi, Chun Jae Woon (Firdaus Kasman 59"), Jun Wookeun, Sharil Ishak, Choi Chul Woo,