Post-match Reports - 19th May 2010
Beijing Guoan FC VS Home United FCHome United FC had entered last night's match on the back of a shock defeat to Young Lions FC just a week ago. Our Protectors needed to win to stay in touch with leaders Tampines Rovers FC. Our Protectors started the match in positive mood, seizing initiative and went in search for the opening goal. Shi Jiayi opened the scoring on 12 minutes with a sweetly struck freekick that left Beijing's custodian flapping at thin air. After going into the lead, Home United sat back and allowed Beijing to come at them. On a few occasions, the Chinese side came close but the forwards lacked the killer instinct.
Home United FC defender Ismail Yunos' injury problems sees no conclusion as on 35 minutes, he had to go off with an hamstring injury and be replaced by Firdaus Idros. It took only two minutes for the substitute to make his contribution. Firdaus playing on the left, cut inside and delivered a inch perfect cross which found Sharil Ishak free. The latter made no mistake with a smart finish. 2-0 going into half-time and our Protectors must have felt the points were in the bag.
Beijing Guoan then brought on their star forward Tan Tiancheng, looking for him to aid Beijing back into the match. Just after the hour, Tan certainly did that as he struck a wonderous freekick from 30 yards and gave Ridzuan Fatah no chance. 2-1 and our Protectors were feeling the nerves. Minutes later, Tan slotted in the equalizer after some school boy defending from our Protectors. The tide was now turning and the Chinese side looked dominant.
On 82 minutes, Captain Sharil Ishak was at the right place to nod in a loose ball. Choi Chul Woo had spun and struck a good shot towards goal which Beijing custodian did well to parry, but the loose ball fell to Sharil Ishak. Towards the end, Tan could have notched a hat-trick but he fluffed his shot from 12 yards out.
The victory sees Home United FC climb onto fourth, three ahead of SAFFC. Home United FC will now channel their attentions towards the RHB Singapore Cup. Our Protectors begins their quest for the Cup on coming Monday with a visit to the Jalan Besar Stadium once again when they take on Young Lions FC.
Line-up: Ridzuan Fatah, Ismail Yunos, Shariff Abdul Samat, Juma'at Jantan, Valery Heik, Isa Halim,, Shi Jiayi, Shahdan Sulaiman, Rosman Sulaiman, Sharil Ishak, Choi Chul Woo, |
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