Home United FC VS Tampines Rovers FC

Home United FC lined up 3-4-3, with regular fullback Juma'at Jantan left on the bench after having just recovered from an injury. New signing Jun Wookeun was also left on the bench, as he settles into local football.

For Tampines Rovers FC, Captain Akihiro Nakamura had to contend with a spot on the bench, also having just recovered from an injury. Frenchman Benoit Croissant took the Captain's position in midfield.

On 7 minutes, Valery Heik had to be alert to clear a dangerous looking ball into the box. Aliff Shafaein had spun Ismail Yunos and looked to lay a pass for the on coming Aleksander Duric. 10 minutes later, Tampines Rovers forced a series of corners. The dimunitive Aliff was in the thick of action, seeing much of the ball and linking well with his midfielders. Home United rarely threatened as they lacked numbers in attack. The game needed a goal and it was Tampines Rovers who looked more likely with former Protector, Qiu Li looking impressive with his charging runs and good footwork. 5 minutes before half-time, Qiu Li forced Lionel Lewis into a superb save. The former had curled a wonderful shot and as it seemed destined for the botom corner, Lionel got his fingertips to it and diverted it away for a corner. Home United could have taken a shock lead on the stroke of half-time. Firdaus Idros shot from the edge of the box but Hassan Sunny was up to it, as he parried it away to safety.

At half-time, Home United brought on new signing Jun Wookeun for Zulfadli Zainal. The Korean's contribution was immediate as he won a freekick on the right channel. His compatriot, Chun Jae Woon, fast becoming Home United's freekick specialist swung in the freekick to the farpost where the towering Valery Heik was on hand to nod it back into the centre for the lurking Ismail Yunos to nod home. What a start to the second half!

On 60 minutes, Tampines Rovers brought on Khairul Amri for the tiring Aliff Shafaein. The match lost its momentum as the flow was disrupted with many stoppages for freekicks and injuries. On 68 minutes, a collision between Rosman Sulaiman and Aleksander Duric saw the former suffer a serious head injury and had to be stretchered off. On came Shahdan Sulaiman, and Choi Chul Woo was brought back into defence to cope with Rosman's absence.

With little time left, Qiu Li thought he had rescued a point for Tampines Rovers when his flick header caught Lionel Lewis flat-footed but it hit the cross-bar. The final few minutes saw Tampines Rovers launch long balls but Choi Chul Woo and Valery Heik was able to repel all.

Overall, our Protectors defended well and scored with one of the rare chances created by them in the match. Tampines Rovers FC must be feeling hard done by, considering the amount of chances created. This was Home United's fourth win on the trot and also Home's fourth clean sheet. The defence is proving to be rock-solid now. The title charge is back on for our Protectors and if they can maintain the good form, who is to say our Protectors cannot clinch the much coveted S-League title.

Line-up: Lionel Lewis, Zulfadhli Zainal, Juma'at Jantan, Valery Heik, Firdaus Kasman (Sherif El-Masri 66"), Isa Halim (Firdaus Idros 46") Shi Jiayi, Shahdan Sulaiman (Sufian Anuar 57"), Chun Jae Woon, Sharil Ishak, Choi Chul Woo,