Singapore: Singapore's Home United recovered from the shock of falling behind just before half-time as they came back to beat Citizen of Hong Kong 3-1 in their AFC Cup Group G opener at Bishan Stadium on Wednesday.
Yuto Nakamura put the visitors ahead in stoppage time at the end of the half but the Singapore Cup holders stormed back after the break with two goals in four minutes by Shotaro Ihata and Frederic Mendy.
Singapore international forward Qiu Li then capped a fine individual performance with a solo effort late on as Home went two points clear at the top of the group, following the 1-1 draw between Yangon United of Myanmar and Chonburi of Thailand earlier in the day.
After watching his side struggle in the opening half, Home coach Lee Lim-saeng changed their attacking strategy at the break in a move that would pay clear dividends.
"I was not happy with our first half performance as I felt that we were attacking too much down the centre and not finding space," the Korean explained.
"I got them to use the flanks more in the second half and that helped us to create more space in which to attack them.
"Once we got the first two goals, it became a lot easier for us. Citizen had to open up in order to level the game and that allowed us even more space to attack."
While they enjoyed plenty of possession in the opening half, the hosts were continually frustrated by the Citizen defence, which stood firm on their AFC Cup debut.
And they found themselves a goal down in stoppage time after lax defending by Shi Jiayi presented the ball to Sham Kwok Keung, who bore down on goal with Nakamura before laying the ball off for the Japanese striker to fire past goalkeeper Lionel Lewis.
The goal deflated the hosts but they came out with renewed energy after the break and got back on level terms in the 62nd minute when Ihata met John Wilkinson's cross with a bullet header into the back of the net.
And four minutes later, French striker Mendy put Home ahead as he steered the ball in from close range after Qiu's shot had been parried by the goalkeeper.
And Qiu wrapped up the win with three minutes left when he received the ball on the left flank and brought it back towards the middle before slamming it into the back of the net.
While disappointed at seeing his side blow their half-time lead, Citizen coach Chu Kwok Kuen felt that they had positives to build on for their upcoming games.
"Whatever the result, I am pleased with the performance of the boys tonight," he said.
"Our team is not used to the conditions that we are going to encounter when playing outside Hong Kong so this match was good exposure for us. We expect the weather to be even more unforgiving for our next two away matches in Myanmar and Thailand.
"Home United play a more physical game and we expect more short passing from the other two teams in the group and less physical contact which might suit us better."
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