Warriors prevail in uniform derby

Ong Jiing Yih
info@sleague.com

Singapore Armed Forces FC returned to the top of the Great Eastern-YEO'S S.League after a resounding 3-1 victory over Home United.

Ahmad Latiff Khamarudin set the tone for the Warriors win by heading home Shaiful Esah's accurate cross in the 39th minute.

The Protectors looked to have found their way back in the 50th minute with Shi Jiayi briefly restoring parity from the spot.

However, defensive lapses allowed Daniel Bennett and John Wilkinson to seal the match in the hosts' favour.

The 'Murakami Factor' was evident before kick off as one-time Albirex Niigata (S), Balestier Khalsa and SAFFC forward Norikazu Murakami was registered just in time in order to take part in the game.

Murakami thus became the first Japanese player since Hiroaki Tanaka in 2002 to don Protectors colours, as the away side were unsually decked out in gold.

He was the one of two changes to Home's eighteen-man lineup, with Syed Fadhil included and Naruphol Ar-Romsawa dropping out altogether.

SAFFC brought back Hafiz Osman and Park Tae Won, who were rested against Geylang United, as they sought to open up Home, with Wilkinson surging forward at every opportunity.

Therdsak Chaiman then fired the first warning shot after seven minutes, seizing the ball and floating his attempt wide from 20 yards.

Lionel Lewis was not to be spared as he had to claw away two freekicks by Shaiful down the right channel.

Having absorbed some pressure, Home tried to apply some of their own upfront but were badly let down by their delivery.

It was the hosts who surged forward in customary fashion, Latiff putting Wilkinson clear only for the latter to chip over the goal with only Lewis to beat.

When the match looked to be transcending into a tight, cagey affair after the first quarter, Wilkinson came out of nowhere to hammer a centre by skipper Aleksandar Duric from the left towards goal.

Fortunately, Lewis was adequate to the task after he turned the ball away to safety.

Despite struggling in attack, Home sought inspiration through the twinkling feet of Peres de Oliveira and nearly got their reward.

However, that was a good as they got and after Therdsak zipped a freekick just wide, Shaiful was afforded ample space and time to weave his magic and that proved costly.

Latiff escaped the attentions of his closest marker and rose highest to put his side into a deserved lead.

Sensing enough was enough, Home head coach PN Sivaji sent on Murakami in place of the off-colour Itimi Dickson for his debut.

The change paid instant dividends following a clash with old pal and sparring partner Masahiro Fukasawa.

Having scythed down Murakami in the box, Fukasawa could only stand and watch as Shi Jiayi equalised from the spot.

If anyone thought that SAFFC were made to sweat, Home were the ones to feel uneasy instead – Latiff causing panic with a speculative attempt which nearly caught Lewis cold.

Lewis was indeed beaten on 61 minutes after a half-cleared Shaiful freekick once again left him exposed, where Bennett made the most of his chance to pummel the ball past the national goalkeeper from 20 yards.

Moments later, Latiff nearly added insult to injury by rocketing his shot over the bar.

Immediately afterwards, Juma'at Jantan came onto replace Shahril Alias with Ismail Yunos moving across to the centre, in the bid to combat aerial threat from the Warriors. However, it was to prove futile in the end.

The first flashpoint of the match arrived in the 75th minute and after a challenge on Shi, Latiff was deemed to be guilty of dangerous play and was given his marching orders.

The man himself very much amazed as were his teammates as he trudged off disconsolately to the dressing room, amidst the heckling and hassling by the Protectors fans.

Still, SAFFC were keen to move on and sought to clinch the match with a third goal, as Home pushed hard against their ten men.

They were able to do so despite surviving a minor scare with Murakami with a late acrobatic volley just wide past Shahril Jantan's right post.

In stoppage time, Wilkinson put the match beyond any serious doubt with a stunner almost identical to Bennett's earlier effort.

Warriors tactician Richard Bok reflected on his side's performance while speaking up for red card victim Latiff.

"Latiff's is not a red card but we'll move on with the encounters with Young Lions and Woodlands Wellington in mind.

"We began well but although we ceded possession too easily during the first half, we moved the ball around much better after the break.

As his side prepare to take their bow in the Asian Champions League next week against Shanghai Shenhua, Bok sent out a message to the rest of the league.

"Tonight's win is a morale booster [for the upcoming Shanghai trip], and as all teams seek to dethrone us, we're keen to retain the title and shall fight towards the end.”

Meanwhile, Sivaji was candid and honest in his assessment of his side's shortcomings that caused their downfall.

"SAFFC played well and had more control in the match, and we were poor. Possession was lost often meaning we had to chase and as a result it put strain on the lads.

"They closed us down, and as tension ensued we weren't able to pass the ball around effectively. Movement and passing were also absent. We hardly tested Shahril apart from the penalty and Murakami's volley."

The tactician also hopes this result would pose as a test of the players' resolve.

"I'd like to think it's an off day for us but we've have to regroup.”