Preview: Home United vs Brunei DPMM FC

Home still in the race, says Sivaji Syahrom Sulaiman info@sleague.com Home United coach P N Sivaji has insisted that a challenge for the Great Eastern-Yeo’s S.League title remains very much on the cards for his side, despite being stranded in mid-table and quite some way off the leaders. On Sunday they take on DPMM Brunei, a side that has usurped a place in the title chase, a place that the Protectors have traditionally occupied. Before the weekend’s matches Home sat 13 points behind leaders Gombak United and 10 behind third-placed SAFFC, but former Singapore coach Sivaji says a victory against the Bruneians could kickstart their faltering season. “So far we have not lost at home (their home for the season of Clementi Stadium). We are playing one of the league leaders so it’s a huge motivation for the players,” he said. “There is a lot of talk that the league is out of our hands but mathematically, it is not over yet for us. “If we can’t beat DPMM at home on Sunday then we should seriously question our title aspirations. I have no issue with the boys’ desire and motivation. They are always ready to give 100%,” added Sivaji. Home have suffered a number of indifferent results this term but Sivaji says his side needs to learn to turn good performances into killing off matches and thus into points. “We have to understand why we cannot translate dominance into victories,” he said. “We can play badly and win 1-0 and I will be perfectly happy with that. Three points is what I am looking for – this is to show that we are still in the running for the league title,” Sivaji commented. Home and DPMM are both back to Great Eastern-Yeo’s S.League action at the Clementi Stadium after a week of contrasting cup fortunes. The Protectors were in AFC Cup action last Tuesday when they were defeated 2-0 by Vietnamese side Becamex Binh Duong. On the other hand, things are looking very rosy for DPMM. After scalping fellow title-contenders SAFFC 2-1 in Brunei, they followed it up by dumping Fandi Ahmad’s Pelita Jaya side out of the RHB Singapore Cup three days later with an impressive 1-0 victory. Nevertheless, the Wasps’ unbeaten start to the season may be under threat on Sunday, coach Vjeran Simunic facing the headache of having four defenders on the suspension list. Yusof Salleh, Rene Komar and Sairol Sahari all collected their fourth yellow cards of the season in the game against SAFFC, while captain Sallehuddin Damit was sent off in the same game. Komar’s absence may be regarded by many as the bitterest blow to Simunic’s plans because the Croat is DPMM’s defensive lynchpin. However, Sallehudin’s calming influence, coupled with Yusof and Sairol’s marauding runs on the flanks, have been integral in DPMM allowing only eight goals to go past custodian Wardun Yussof in the league this season. Sivaji remains cautious despite his opponents’ defensive problems. “I have been told that the four are out suspended. It’s a big blow for them when you don’t have your four first-choice defenders. “It’s a big adjustment for them to make but the team have many Bruneian internationals. I am sure they have players who can come in to take their place,” Sivaji added. Assessing his own team’s situation, Sivaji was glad that midfielder Shi Jiayi and veteran defender S Subramani came through the game against Binh Duong unscathed in their first full outings after returning from injury. Both players will be key to the Protectors’ aspirations this season, but Sivaji is happy to point out that he has a pleasant headache when it comes to team selection when all his players are fit. “Only Jumaat Jantan is a slight doubt because he picked up an ankle injury during training. We will have to assess his situation again nearing game day,” he said. “It’s good to see most of the players back to full fitness. Subramani played the whole game (against Binh Duong), along with Jiayi as well. “But we must be careful with Mani as he can’t play in every game because he has just recovered. “We also got back (from Vietnam) on Tuesday so we have to see who is physically and mentally prepared for the game. Honestly speaking, the players are tired from playing too many games in a short span of time. “But I have got many good replacements if the situation arises. Even my Prime League players like Firdaus (Idros) and Shahdan (Sulaiman) are knocking on the door,” Sivaji said.