Home United hop to the top of the table

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by Low Lin Fhoong
04:46 AM Mar 14, 2011 SINGAPORE - Touted as title favourites ahead of the 2011 Great Eastern-Yeo's S-League season, Home United leapfrogged to the top of the table last night, after claiming a 2-1 victory over Albirex Niigata at Bishan Stadium.

The Protectors had started this year on a shaky note with a 1-1 draw against Balestier Khalsa in their opening game last month. But two successive wins over Gombak United (3-0) and Hougang United (5-0) have clearly boosted the team's confidence.

Said head coach Lee Lim Saeng: "The players have worked very hard so far and now we are top of the league. Hopefully they can keep it up and be the champions this season.

"We tried to show some good football and we didn't play defensively. We got three points tonight and hopefully we can repeat it in our next game against Etoile."

Protectors striker Frederic Mendy proved to be the hero of the night, as the former Etoile forward finally broke his duck to slot in his first goal for Home in the fourth minute.

Making the most of his imposing 1.94m frame on the field, the Frenchman then delivered a pass for captain Shi Jiayi to take Home 2-0 up in the 45th minute, hoisting the Protectors to the head of the table on goal difference although tied with Tampines Rovers on 10 points.

The White Swans found consolation in forward Shotaro Ihata in the 84th minute, as the 24-year-old capitalised on substitute Bruno Castanheira and Tatsuro Inui's defensive breech to lob his shot above goalkeeper Lionel Lewis.

It was an emotional night for visitors Albirex Niigata, whose players have had to contend with news of the 8.9-magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami that hit Japan's north-east coast on Friday.

Some 1,588 fans at Bishan Stadium observed a minute's silence last night to mark the tragedy that has claimed an estimated 800 lives to date, with both teams donning black armbands.

Said Albirex head coach Koichi Sugiyama: "We are relieved as our families and friends are safe. We regret that we couldn't send good news to Japan (with a victory).

"Home United is a very good team, and every player has potential and ability.

"For us, the important thing is to keep going and never give up."