Protectors look to get back in shape

Basil Yeo
info@sleague.com

Three points will be the prime objective for both the Young Lions and Home United when they face each other in a midweek encounter. 

Terry Pathmanathan’s Young Lions currently occupy last place after Balestier Khalsa moved to 10th following their win over Geylang United on Monday, but they could propel themselves to sixth place with a win. 

However, P N Sivaji’s Home United are not exactly the side any team looking for rewards wants to come across, not especially at this point of time. The Protectors are now sitting in sixth after a sluggish start, having played five games and winning only once with an equal number of draws and losses. 

It may be a temporary slump as Home have indeed faced tough opposition early, having already played Tampines Rovers, SAFFC and Gombak United, but the loss to Albirex Niigata was no excuse for the uniformed side, who listed the league title as their season expectations. 

“It was not the best of starts for us so far,” said Sivaji in a telephoned interview with sleague.com. “It has been a tough start for us as well, as we played top teams in the first 3-4 matches. 

“In the last game Albirex managed to score that elusive goal that we did not score and we have got to make sure that we start picking up the points,” he said. “Young Lions may be at the bottom of the table now but they will not be easy. They work very hard and they work for each other. We have to be at the top of the game to get the maximum points. ” 

The Protectors have also run a bit dry in front of goal this term. Scoring only five this time round, they already had 18 in the bag at this time last year. The addition of Norikazu Murakami in early March has yet to grind a positive effect from the title contenders, while his former Balestier strike partner Kengne Ludovick has not scored since a brace against the Tigers themselves on 26 February. 

“We are not as sharp as we would like to be and this is what I call the ‘early season syndrome’ where we lack sharpness upfront,” said Sivaji. 

“Norikazu only joined us at the start of the season and it is still too early to pass any judgement on their partnership,” he continued. “He is a good player, he has shown certain qualities that helps the team and so we will work with him and help him to regain his sharpness. 

“Our whole attacking game has not been able to instill fear in our opponents like what we did last year, and we will have to work on that part of the game. 

“We look forward to this game as another game that we should pick up three points, but you never know what will happen in football. The most important thing is we must relax and not lose our confidence.”