"Home moves back to top spot"
HUFC's 2 goals quickly fired in 2 minutes enhanced their title chase with a resounding 3-1 win over Tampines Rovers (TRFC).
Tampines Rovers with Sutee and Peres in the attack, tried hard as they could all night, but not even the introduction of Mirko Grabovac late on could salvage the situation. Home have now moved back to join the top spot with SAFFC on points.
Home had the same starting line-up as against the Young Lions, with TRFC on an equal footing as compared to their last two matches. Tampines may have been sniffing a victory after dismantling league leaders SAFFC in earlier week. Home began the match brightly, as they tried to prise open the tight Tampines Rovers defence. It was TRFC who had the first opportunity, as Alam Shah headed wide of a Ridhuan Mohd cross. The Home players did not hesitate to orchestrate a wave attacks on TRFC goal, as Qiu Li half-volleyed just wide of the goal, his shot flashed agonisingly inches off the post. Even Lenan got into the act with a long range effort, as he duelled with Santi all night on the right side. Peres nearly had the chance to open the scoring on 19 minutes, but his shot went well wide with Lionel stranded. Indra took too long to decide to shoot, as Sutee nearly made him pay when his rasping drive hit the post. Undeterred, Qiu Li sped past Nazri and sent the ball crashing onto the bar. Home begun to settle into the game and control proceedings, and took the lead on 31 minutes, as Shahril Ishak’s pass released Ludovick, whose cross fell kindly for Jia Yi, and he blasted the ball past a shell-shocked Rezal Hassan. Tampines Rovers were further punished when Shahril Ishak stole in unmarked after Qiu Li hit the post again, to make it 2-0 in just two minutes. Second half began at a slightly relaxed tempo as Home sought to protect their advantage, with TRFC inching ever closer to goal. Sutee sent in a cross unmarked on 48 minutes, as Alam Shan gleefully headed the ball past a prostate Lionel. 2-1 and it seemed a comeback was on the cards for TRFC. Sutee and Ludovick both enchanged shots at both ends. Rezal had to be alert to block the Cameroonian’s attempts twice. Sutee led Rovers’ forward charge, but found no chance out of Mani and Shahril Alias. Peres though could have restored parity, but his lob fell agonisingly wide, as Lionel had to be called into action, this time stopping Alam Shah at full collision speed.TRFC were living dangerously after the introduction of Kone and Goh Swee Swee, but Shahril Ishak could have sealed the match had he not fired straight at Rezal at the end. Vorawan, TRFC coach had sent on the diminutive Aliff Shafaein for a last throw of the dice, but he lofted the ball way over the bar. Qiu Li made him regret with a simple tap-in deep into injury time, which finished off a swift counter attack move. The score board read HUFC 3 TRFC 1. The visitors could not muster any reserve energy. Even the introduction of Mirko Grabovac proved futile. Lionel was simply outstanding, but Jia Yi made the difference with his vision and range of passing.
Vincent was visibly pleased with the win but with his cautious optimism, he has again dismissed talks of the title, as he would have liked to keep in touch with the leaders, and then see how things carry on from there. The only dampener on the night was Diakite’s unfortunate booking by our World Cup referee, Shamsul Maidin. Next up, Balestier Khalsa without the Ivorian rock.
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