Local football boleh

Oh yeah, heard our boys were giving out free tickets for the opening match. Way to go, this is one good way to attract people to come for matches.

Trust me, despite what you say about S-League or local football - how many of those who bad-mouthed our local football standards actually attended local football matches. If they haven't, they are in no position to comment. Try going to one, especially HUFC ones, and I can assure you - YOU WILL GET HOOKED. The atmosphere is great, the crowd's funny, the music's catchy, the lads good-looking and the football is up to standard. There is a difference watching it live as opposed to watching it on TV. Can't travel to Anfield, Emirates, Old Trafford, Bernabeu - just go Bishan Stadium - Home of the Protectors. No regrets.

Ai, you think all English soccer teams good? In England, people still support their hometown teams despite them playing in some kuching kurak league ok. If you don't support your local teams, how you expect them to progress and shine in the world arena. It's a vicious cycle man.

(Lifted from hufc.com.sg)
(Photo from sleague.com - they got a cool article on the match too! Read it.)

HUFC 5 Korean Super Reds 1

Home United opened the twelfth S-League campaign with an impressive 5-1 victory over the new Korean Super Reds. Though the Protectors were not pushed to the full, if the team plays to its strengths all year round, it would be hard not to tip them as potential title winners based on the evidence during Sunday evening.

Home United began proceedings before the first match with a publicity event a day earlier at the nearby Junction8 shopping mall, with players and fan club members giving out free tickets and fixtures for the new season. The result? An encouraging attendance of more than 4,300 as the ground was packed to the brim. Team affairs on the other hand, looked pretty promising, as Vincent the coach opted for a rather unusual formation, with Diakite, a natural defender, screening the defence. Qiu Li and Ludovick were both among the substitutes. A youthful, exuberant and vibrant squad was on display, as Home attacked from the word go.

The crowd were treated to some interesting banter between the matchday hosts, as they roused and cajoled the crowd. Pre-match predictions of KSR winning big soon proved to be unfounded, as it was pretty clear for all to see, who was to come out on tops in this encounter.

Home slowly but surely clicked into gear, without breaking too much sweat. Barely three minutes had elapsed on the clock when Kone Hamed, one of numerous new signings made their competitive debuts, wrote his name not only into the scoresheet, but also into the hearts of the Protectors’ fans, as he struck a low left footer past a shell shocked KSR keeper, Kim Ji Soo. The crowd had been baying for a goal since the opening whistle and they were rewarded, as Kone troubled the visitor’s defence all night with his set pieces.

An unfortunate evening for Kim Ji Soo was confounded when he was rather unceremoniously replaced only after 10 minutes when fellow 19-year-old Im Su Wong came on, with the coaching staff apparently having enough of his butter fingers. But if you say Kim was poor in his handling, Im was not as good in his kicking either, which made for some heart-stopping stuff for the few Korean fans and compatriots present in Bishan Stadium. 19 minutes had passed when Indra made a welcome return to the first team fold, as he latch onto Jia Yi’s through ball to fire home. Then on 28 minutes, Shahril Ishak had the freedom of the 18-yard box to place his shot into the net, much to his bewilderment. The Koreans then proceeded to enjoy large amounts of possession, but apart from some faint touches and miscued shots, they never really looked like troubling the men in Red.

Swee Swee and Qiu Li were to come on for Shahril and Lenan during the middle of the second half, by the time which Home went 4-0 up, thanks to Shahril’s incision to turn past a defender after receiving Indra’s cross. The Koreans hung their heads from then on, as no one would have expected such a lop-sided scoreline, with the Koreans supposedly being one of Asia’s top teams. As a result, fouls and free kicks became more and more commonplace, with Qiu Li being shoved to the ground on numerous occasions. He picked himself up after yet another foul, and curled in a brilliant free kick for the fifth. Hugs and confetti ensued for the fans.

A clean sheet was wiped away when Mani was rather unfortunate to be penalized by referee Shamsul for an infringement inside the box on 88 minutes, much to the amazement of much of the crowd. 5-1 the final score, with the Korean receiving scant consolation via the penalty spot. A good evening and a great result to savour. With the next match not arriving until twelve days later, Home had already proclaimed loudly and clearly: Write us off at your peril.