SAF FC VS Home United FC

Home United FC are in serious mood to blaze away leaders Etoile FC's lead after securing a magnificent 5-2 win over arch rivals SAFFC. Captain Sharil Ishak was a class act as he single handedly destroyed the Warriors!

Home United FC came into this match missing the impressive Ismail Yunos, who is out with another long term injury. Ismail had recently recovered from a long term knee injury and his performances in the past months have suggested a recall into the National set-up. That dream has been shattered. Head Coach Lee Lim Saeng has an able deputy in Tengku Mushadad to slot in as right-back. The central midfielder turned defender will now look to cement his place in the starting eleven. One player who will definitely be the first on the teamsheet is Captain Sharil Ishak. His performances this season has been spectacular. Sharil Ishak is the leading scorer for our Protectors and he recently grabbed a hat-trick in the 3-0 demolition of Geylang United FC at the Bedok Stadium.

In tonight's match, it took only 9 minutes for Sharil Ishak to start the ball rolling for our Protectors. A dash towards the near post evaded all SAFFC's players and he rose highest to nod Chun Jae Woon's corner past a stranded Sharil Jantan.

Home United FC started the match with flames blazing and looked to blaze the Warriors away within minutes. Shi Jiayi forced Sharil Jantan into a good save after a good combination between Shahdan Sulaiman, Sharil Ishak and Shi Jiayi. Minutes later, Shahdan Sulaiman made a "Mesut Ozil" penetrative run into the box and forced Sharil Jantan into another fine save. From the resulting corner, Sharil Ishak opened the scoring.

Mid-way through the half, SAFFC received a great opportunity to equalise. Choi Chul Woo was judged by referee Abdul Malik to have blocked Indra's goal bound shot with his arm and pointed to the spot. Indra stepped up but shot wide. Relief to have kept the lead, our Protectors raised their game and frustrated the Warriors to long punts into our Protectors defence. The solid duo of Valery Heik and Choi Chul Woo easily cleaned them up.

On 40 minutes, Sharil Ishak notched his second of the night and doubled Home United's advantage. It was a superb goal with Sharil Ishak running rings around the SAFFC custodian and two other defenders. Nearing half-time, Ivan Jerkovic could have reduce the deficit but dragged his shot wide.

From the restart, our Protectors killed off the match with a third. Sharil Ishak was the provider this time with a good cross to find an unmarked Jun Wookeun, who scored with a diving header. 3-0! Surely no way back for the Warriors.

On 53 minutes, SAFFC pulled a goal back. Noh Rahman clipping a ball over Choi Chul Woo to find John Wilkinson who finished well. It was end to end stuff now and on 55 minutes, Shahdan Sulaiman found himself free in front of goal, but his shot was charged down. A minute later, another wonderful move saw our Protectors regain a three goal cushion. Sharil Ishak with a sole-drag pass behind to Jiayi who replied with a clip pass over a static SAFFC defence to find Ishak through on goal. Such was Ishak's confidence that he finished well to claim his hat-trick. Simply World-Class!

SAFFC's reply was almost immediate as they were awarded with a second penalty. This time, Valery Heik's mis-timed challenge on Park Tae Won was duly punished. Park slotted past Lionel with a well placed penalty. The save of the match came on 81 minutes. Sharil Jantan, recalled back into the National side pulled off a stupendous save to deny Chun Jae Woon, whose left foot shot was destined for the top corner.

With little time left, the fans were treated to more goal mouth actions. Park Tae Won headed onto the bar and a desperate lunge by Valery Heik denied Ivan Lovric. In stoppage time, a mix up between Taisuke Akiyoshi and Ivan Lovric gifted substitute Firdaus Kasman possession and the youngster picked out Sharil Ishak who made a well-timed run. The Man-of-the -match looked up and unselfishly laid the ball on for a surging Shahdan Sulaiman, who applied a cheeky finish to blaze the Warriors away.

Overall, it was goals galore and the fans must have loved this match! It was a fantastic offensive performance from our Protectors who shredded the Warriors defence to pieces. Captain Sharil Ishak was a class act, notching a hat-trick and setting up a brace. He deservedly claimed the match ball and the Man-of the-Match award. With this emphatic win, Home United FC are only 3 points behind leaders Etoile FC. The flame is definitely burning now and the French better beware!

Line-up: Lionel Lewis, Tengku Mushadad, Rosman Sulaiman (Zulfadli Zainal 78 "), Valery Heik, Isa Halim (Firdaus Idros 76"), Shahdan Sulaiman, Shi Jiayi (Firdaus Kasman 68 "), Chun Jae Woon , Jun Wookeun, Sharil Ishak, Choi Chul Woo,