Indra delivers on his favourite hunting ground

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Striker scores one, sets up another in Warriors' victory
 
by Low Lin Fhoong
Apr 08, 2011

Great Eastern-Yeo's S-League

SAFFC 2 Home United 0

SINGAPORE - Eight-time league champions SAFFC leapt to the top of the Great Eastern-Yeo's S-League table last night, after a 2-0 win over rivals Home United in a much-anticipated "uniform derby" at Choa Chu Kang Stadium.

It looked like the 2,688 fans would leave disappointed, following a listless first half from both teams.

But SAFFC coach Richard Bok's half-time pep talk seemed to work its charm on the Warriors, as did his decision to bring on Indra Sahdan Daud for Fazrul Nawaz in the 59th minute.

Ten minutes after coming on, the former international earned a penalty after he was brought down by Home goalkeeper Lionel Lewis in the box.

Midfielder Ivan Jerkovic stepped up and coolly converted the spot kick to put the Warriors 1-0 up.

The Warriors' stadium has been a happy hunting ground for Indra - he scored a hat-trick there in 2004 in Home's only win at Choa Chu Kang - and last night the 32-year-old veteran found the net again, slotting in a rebound off midfielder Rhysh Roshan Rai's attempt on goal in the 84th minute.

Said Indra: "This win was very important and it's good to win back-to-back matches. Hopefully, we'll win the rest of our games."

The victory takes SAFFC to the head of the table on 18 points. But that top-of-the-table feeling may last all of 24 hours because last season's runners-up Tampines Rovers (17 points) and champions Etoile FC (16) meet tonight at Jalan Besar Stadium. A win for either side will see the lead change hands again.

Said a delighted Bok: "It was a good win and a fantastic team effort and we managed to keep a clean sheet. It's good to be top of the table again and, hopefully, we'll keep our momentum."

Protectors coach Lee Lim Saeng was already looking ahead to next week's game against visitors Etoile, the French side who won the S-League in their debut season last year.

Said the South Korean: "We had some chances in the first half but couldn't convert and they defended well. I have to go back and analyse the mistakes, and also aid in the recovery of some of our injured players."