HUFC's title chances

(off hufc.com.sg)

Special November preview - HUFC's title chances

Home United enter the crucial run of fixtures in November, as they seek to reclaim the S.League title which they last laid their hands on in 2003.

A club of Home’s stature never rests on their laurels and past events had left a galling taste in the mouth, as eternal rivals SAFFC have trumped them all too easily, especially in 2006.Similar things have appeared to happen in the same season. Despite conceding a high number of goals, the Warriors have outscored everybody in the league. Even an array of attacking talent in the Protectors' ranks could not reach the whopping target of 80+ goals.

Despite the Palestine team being unable to travel to Singapore, the national players have been slated to remain until further notice. The likes of Shi Jia Yi and Shahril Ishak were missing an their presence have been sorely missed, as plenty of chances on goal came and went , during the 2-1 home defeat to Young Lions.

The defeat means although Home have to win their four remaining games to stand any mathematical chance of winning the league crown, results elsewhere could ultimately determine their fate.Playing Tuesday November 6th; Record against Tampines Rovers since 2003: W7 D4 L3It has always been a bittersweet encounter between the two sides. Results from important matches involving either one of the two teams usually decide the destination of the title. Home came agonizingly short at the final hurdle in 2004; finish runners-up in both league and cup to the Stags.In 2005, the challenge was over even before it could begin, as Tampines overcame a late onslaught by closest rival SAFFC to retain their title. Home could only finish fourth in the league.

The first two meetings between the Protectors and the Stags have gone largely in favour of the uniformed team. A comprehensive 3-1 win at Bishan was followed by a gritty 1-1 draw in mid-July, with Kone Hamed exposing the age in the Tampines back-line to prod home the equaliser.

Despite the result, Tampines would roll into Bishan in confidence in the hope that their age backline of Nazri Nasir and Zulkarnaen Zainal, aided by ex-Home Shariff Abdul Samat, can hold firm. They need to convince their critics they still have plenty left in their tanks, as dropped points and lackluster displays such as the one against Bangkok University have raised doubts about the players being able to last the distance.

Nevertheless, coach Vorawan Chitavanih has firm belief in his squad to ensure he and his team would not finish the campaign empty-handed.Meanwhile, Peres de Oliveira is still held in high regard by many amongst the Protectors faithful, and it would be interesting to see him do battle against Diakite Fode Bangaly in the heart of midfield. When the chips are down, Peres' repertoire of tricks and long-distance shooting have done a great service to his team, and it is his supply line to the forwards that poses great danger.

With Kengne Ludovick facing off with Sead Muratovic and Mirko Grobavac needing to use his strength to usurp the combined might of S. Subramani and Shahril Alias, expect fireworks and plenty of excitement.

Playing Sunday November 11th; Record against Balestier Khalsa since 2003:W8 D1 L5The Tigers have found circumstances unforgiving after beginning the new season with a changed team. The likes of Akihiro Nakamura, Kengne Ludovick and Osagie Ederaro have moved on and it had been a real problem for coach Abdul Karim Razzak all year, as he had tried to plug the Ludovick-shaped gaping hole with little success.

Losing key players in attack and midfield have not helped, but more worryingly his defence has not helped the teams cause. Ex-Home United players Fajar Sarib, Rizal Rahman (who has since retired) and Mohd Mardani have moved on.Ratna Suffian is the only player credible enough to lead the backline, but the constant chopping and changing of partner hasn’t helped. One week he would have youth graduate Jufri Taha beside him, the next moment it’s either Fathi Yunus or Juraimie Dawood, both flattering to deceive at times. Still, it is important to recognise the threat coming from Balestier, with their African trio looking to do their utmost to hurt and usurp opponents’ momentum at every opportunity.

Ryuji Sueoka has done relatively decent since his close-season switch from Geylang, but since his arrival in July, one-time Sporting Afrique forward Fortune Udo has stolen most of the headlines. Not to be outdone, his colleague Kaze Teffo Giscard has made good use of his strength and pace to terrorise fullbacks down the left hand side. Sueoka tends to drop deep in support for Udo, and it is essential to stop the balls from reaching him in midfield. Skipper S. Subramani and his partner Shahril Alias would need to track the runs of Udo without being pulled out of position, as the lanky forward tends to drift wide.Home would stand a high chance of getting the points if they play to their strengths.

Playing 'live' Friday November 16th; Record against SAFFC since 2003:W6 D1 L7Two of Singapore’s most successful teams lock horns in a bid to determine who would last the distance and land the elusive title. Both teams have got the better of each other once each already, with Home recording a 2-0 win on May 18th and the Warriors got revenge in some measure with a 4-1 scoreline over a tired –looking Protectors side missing several key players.

There is no love lost between the two of Singapore's most successful clubs.Players have seldom moved across, although Ali Imran Lomri (2004) an Aidil Sharin (2006) have moved to the Choa Chu Kang-based outfit, to leave Home all but short of defensive cover.

The last time Home had anything similar to a comprehensive result against the Warriors was in October 2005, where ex-goalkeeper endured a torrid night during the 5-1 thrashing, with club legend Egmar Goncalves netting a hat trick. This time though, the current team would be using that as a backdrop to spur themselves. In fact, with the likes of Mustaqim Manzur, Noor Ali and Jamil Ali wreaking havoc down the wings, the likes of Juma'at Jantan, Rosman Sulaiman need to be at the best to keep up chase.Plus the intriguing battle waiting to unfold between the pairing of John Wilkinson and Therdsak Chaiman and the duo of either Bangaly or Shi Jia Yi/ Shahril Ishak would be the key to victory.

Any possession won or lost in midfield would have a direct outcome on the result.Motivation is never in short supply, as a win would put Home belatedly back into the frame for the title. Hopefully, the boys would not need to get a result at Geylang United to learn their fate.Playing Tuesday November 20th; Record against Geylang United since 2003:W11 D1 L2Geylang United are still undergoing a transitional period, as Slovak Jozef Herel is sworn in as new coach in October, as Lim Tong Hai moves upstairs to become the new team manager.

Recent meetings have seen Home come out on tops as Geylang looked to be short on ideas against the Protectors. However, don’t rule them out as Ballamodou Conde’s return to the S.League fold after three years away has galvanised the side. The most recent meeting between these two sides ended in controversial fashion, as a late winner by Diakite Fode Bangaly clipped their wings. But it was the ‘two-ball’ incident that had even their chairman seething. Apart from that, the two teams generally play out their encounter in good spirit.For the neutrals, it would be good to see Geylang return to their hay days of the past, culminated in their title-winning years of 1996 and 2001. The Eagles academy has over the years produced the likes of Indra Sahdan, Lionel Lewis, Syed Fadhil and Mohd Noh Rahman, and the sight of their successful Prime League team winning is a testament to hard work put in by unsung heroes behind the scenes.Depending on the aftermath of the Warriors game, expect Home to go all out against the Eagles, in a bid to finish on a high.