Protectors opens Clementi Stadium with comfortable win!

Home United FC comfortably beat visiting Balestier Khalsa FC 3-0 tonight at the Clementi Stadium. In Protectors' first home match of the season, it was already a must win match, considering the weakness of a youthful Tigers' team.

Home United included Itimi Dickson and Rosman Sulaiman in their starting line-up, while Fadzuhasny Juraimi and Jumaat Jantan dropped to the bench.

For Balestier Khalsa, they fielded two ex-Protectors in Syaqir Sulaiman and Ram Shanker.

The first half saw Home United with plenty of possession but unable to carve out clear cut chances. On 29 minutes, Shi Jiayi unleashed a long range shot from 30 yards which flew past the flying Daniel Ong, but could only see it cannoned off the upright. Perhaps the best chance in the first half to open the scoring fell to Itimi Dickson, but he could only blast over from close range.

In the dying minutes of the first half, Valery Heik conceded an unnecessary freekick at the edge of the box. From the freekick, Balestier Khalsa nearly took the lead if not for a alert Lionel Lewis. He was able to parry the shot that flew past an ineffective wall. The half ended 0-0.

In response to the goal-less first half, Coach Sivaji replaced defensive midfielder Tengku Mushadad with the exciting Naruphol Ar-Romsawa. Within minutes, Naruphol had his first shot but it flew wide. The withdrawal of Tengku somehow gave Balestier Khalsa an attacking stimulus. For the next 10 minutes, they had the better of play and were able to create some havoc in Home's defence.

On 60 minutes, Balestier Khalsa's resistance was finally breached. Sharil Ishak went on a solo run which took him past Sofiyan Abdul Hamid and he squared nicely for Kengne Ludovick to open his and Home's 2009 accounts. After the opening goal, Home United were happy to play "keep ball". On 75 minutes, Peres De Oliveira scored through a trademark freekick to double Home's lead. By now, Balestier Khalsa's youngsters were feeling battered. On the stroke of full-time, the exciting Naruphol was brought down in the box and Ludovick calmly stepped up to send Daniel Ong the wrong way to give Home United FC a more than deserved 3-0 victory!

Well done! Next up, let's beat SAFFC on 4th March !!!