HUFC through to Singapore Cup Q-Finals

(from hufc.com)
Two first half goals from Shi Jiayi & Sharil Ishak was enough to give the Protectors a 2-0 victory over the visiting Korean Super Reds tonight at the Bishan Stadium. This sets up a Q-Final clash with Woodlands Wellington FC. -

More blues for the reds?

"Home have been proving their title credentials after successive wins, while the Koreans have flattered to deceive, with both results against Geylang and Sengkang proving to be flashes-in-the-pan."

Home United begin their new campaign in the Singapore Cup with a matchup against the league new entrants of this year, the Korean Super Reds.

The Koreans have not exactly set the league alight with their bold assumption that they would finish third in the standings with football based on youthful exuberance. Meanwhile, Home had moved back to a joint top of the league standings with a comprehensive 3-1 win over 2005 champions Tampines in the league race.

HUFC has to proceed this tie with caution – their first assignment on the defence of their title failed miserably in 2006 where they were dumped unceremoniously out of the tournament at the first hurdle in 2006. A 4-0 victory at Bishan by Thai side Chonburi sealed their fate.

Comparing the form of the two teams, one could more or less tell which team would by far stand the better chance of winning. Home have been proving their title credentials after successive wins, while the Koreans have flattered to deceive, with both results against Geylang and Sengkang (a win and a draw respectively) proving to be flashes-in-the-pan. The Koreans may be travelling to Bishan in a brighter mood, but the 5-1 loss to Home on the opening day of the current Sleague competition should keep their optimism in check.

With an extra incentive of winning the Cup again since 2005, the Protectors can be counted on to give their all. The stumbling blocks remain where a SAFFC lies in wait for the semi finals, if the players can successfully negotiate the first round and the quarter finals of the Singapore Cup. Expect the Protectors to go on the attack.

(article from hufc.com)

HUFC 3 : 1 TRFC - 2 mins 2 Goals

"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.

Riguangyu's Map to Bishan Stadium

Yo people. =) Some of you have been asking about directions to Bishan Stadium. Here is a very humble hand drawn one. =) I hope it's clear enough. At any rate, during match days, you'll find a crowd of youngsters walking towards that road and you'll know it's the right way. Woo hoo! Stay tune folks, for the official map, if we can get it.

HUFC vs Young Lions - Will Qui Li (below) hit the Cubs..Come see this happen on Sunday @ Bishan Stadium

"The Protectors would do well to remember that it is they themselves who so famously broke the Cubs' unbeaten record on 30th June 2006"

Home United welcome the Young Lions to Bishan Stadium, knowing that destiny lies in their own hands, as they seek to recover some lost pride after their first defeat of the season in the hands of Woodlands. The Protectors would do well to remember that it is they themselves who so famously broke the Cubs' unbeaten record on 30th June 2006, with a 3-2 success at Jalan Besar in front of a national TV audience. However, the team's form against their opponents from the past three season doesn’t bode well reading: just five wins garnered out of nine meetings, with the Cubs beating the Protectors three times.

On the other hand, Home awoke to reality after their five-match unbeaten streak was halted after a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Woodlands. Only Kamarulariffin is out having undergone an operation, therefore Vincent would need to assess his best option in what is a full-strength line-up.

Traditionally, this fixture does not seem to pose too great a problem for the Protectors, but there's no easy games nowadays, therefore the team needs to cut out mistakes and play to their strengths. A win is therefore not too far on the horizon.

Rainy day... No interview.

Alice and I were supposed to go and interview Lionel and Jiayi today, but the session has been postponed as the guys need to go see a doc for some treatment after yesterday's hard knocks.

Let's all hope they get well soon! Though we lost the game last night, but I am sure the Protectors will be back in action really soon!

Watch this space for the interview. I am sure we'll get to know more about Lionel and gang soon! Maybe we should ask Lionel and Jiayi to tag the next team mates to be interviewed!

*smile all peeps* even if it's raining cats and dogs now.

WWFC 3: 2 HUFC

Very sad, it's really one of those wet and miserable day when nothing we do is right. But I am sure the team can pick itself up and maybe trash the next team 7- 0! But really full credit to the Rams, they really used their horns well this time to poke the Protectors hard ... ha ha ....

"Home tasted bitter defeat for the first time this season. The Rams were
bent on coming back after some bad outings. - HUFC posting"

(from sleague.com)

Friday, April 13, 2007
Jubiliant Jorg hails team effort

Woodlands Wellington answered the critics, five days after an inglorious 6-0 defeat at the hands of S.League leaders SAFFC, by beating second placed Home United 3-2 at Woodlands Stadium on Thursday night.

Fans were treated to a decent display of football, despite the game being played on a very wet surface after heavy afternoon rain.When the Rams fell behind in the 13th minute, though, many at the ground must have wondered if we were about to witness another thrashing, but the home team rallied within three minutes to equalise and five minutes before half-time they had earned the lead.

It was the first time this season that Home United had fallen behind and with their ability it seemed unlikely they would remain in that predicament for the rest of the game.

A goal inside the first minute of the second half, however, gave Woodlands just enough of a cushion to withstand a late assault by The Protectors, whose strong finish The Rams managed to repel.Home United probably enjoyed the better of the opening exchanges and with an intelligent ball from wide on the left by Kone Hamed reaching Shi Jayi, inside the area, the chance came early for them to take the lead.The Chinese-born player angled his low shot just wide of the left hand post, however, but it was not long before the visitors enjoyed some success. Kengne Ludovick’s shot was only parried by Rams’ keeper, Yazid Yasin, in the 13th minute and right in the path of Kone Hamed who gleefully drove the loose ball home.Three minute later Woodlands had fought back, in a big demonstration of their character.A low cross from the right, by Imran Sahib, exposed the Home United defence and Abdelhadi Laakkad got to the near post at just the right moment to steer the ball past Lionel Lewis.Woodlands put on a lot of pressure as the first half wound down.

In the 37th minute Laakkad had a free kick that Lewis could only push away and the defence needed to be alert and clear before the Rams’ striker could pounce, But in the 40th the Rams got the lead they had been working so hard for.

Hasrin Jailani delivered a free kick into the box and captain Ahmad Latiff flicked the ball on.A sharp turn inside the box from Imran Sahib and the ball was nestling in the back of the Home United net.“It was a great strike,“ said Woodlands’ coach, Jorg Steinebrunner, after the game. A very well-taken goal indeed.”The skipper was a huge driving force for the win and it was he who laid on the cross for the Rams’ third and defining goal.Just moments after the restart Latiff crossed hard from the left and Home United keeper, Lewis and central defender, S Subramani, appeared indecisive about who should take charge.

What should have been a simple take became a simple mistake and Laakkad was in there in a flash to poke the ball home. 3-1, then, and that made for a very surprising scoreline indeed after the home team had been 0-3 at the same stage in the previous match against the SAFFC.This time there was far more industry and self-belief and while Home United pulled a goal back in the 70th minute, after several near misses by substitute Goh Swee Swee, the Rams were able to hang on.

Ludovick tidied up, after a near-post cross from Shi Jayi, to make it 3-2.Ludovick looked set to score again ten minutes later but was brought undone by a very smart tackle from Azmi Mahamud, six yards out.Five minutes from the end some ferocious pressure from Home United looked certain to yield a third goal, but Azlan Alipah managed to hook the ball clear at the death.It was a win full of resolve and determination by Woodlands but it must be said there really was very little between the two teams on the night.

On this occasion the defence stood firm and after a recent 3-2 defeat at Albirex Niigata (Singapore) it was pleasing for Woodlands to get on the right end of the same scoreline.“We played well, but then we played well in many of our other games this season without getting a result,” said Steinebrunner.“I cannot single anyone out as it was a true team effort that got us the win tonight,” he beamed.

Home United coach, Vincent Subramaniam, was generous in defeat.“We were a little untidy at the back tonight and did not play too well but credit to Woodlands, they were on song tonight.”“There are another 27 games to go and we won’t be getting too concerned about this one loss just yet. We’ll see how significant it is once we get further into the season.”“There is still plenty of time to put things right.”

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