Home United hit five goals to top group in AFC Cup football

Story by Koh Yizhe/Red Sports. Pictures by Vanessa Lim/Red Sports

Jalan Besar Stadium, Wednesday, April 21, 3009 – Four goals in the first half propelled Home United FC to the top of Group H after a 5-1 demolition of Club Valencia of the Maldives in the AFC Cup.

With the win, Home United have 9 points after four games, while their closest opponents Becamex Binh Duong FC and Provincial Electricity Authority are two points back after they drew 1-1.

The Singapore team came into the match needing a win to keep their AFC Cup hopes alive as they were level on points with both Becamex Binh Duong FC and Provincial Electricity Authority. Goals from Firdaus Idros and Peres de Oliveira within the first seven minutes did well to calm nerves. With Home United playing with rare confidence, Ludovick Kengne and Juma'at Jantan also banged in two more goals before half-time.

Although Valencia had a good spell at the start of the second half which led to their solitary goal, Kengne got his second goal after 78 minutes to restore Home United's four-goal cushion.

“I am not happy with my teams performance, definitely not satisfied. My team fell asleep in the first five minutes so we trailed 2-0 by the first seven minutes, practically losing the match. This is a young team with little experience so it makes us easy opponents. I definitely seen them play better than before, but not tonight,” commented Jozsef Dzurjack, Valencia’s coach.

The home side went on the attack from the kick-off as they pushed for an early goal and were rewarded when Firdaus smashed in the first goal of the night after just three minutes. Fadzuhasny Juraimi's chip shot failed to beat the cross-bar, but Firdaus was on hand to send home the rebound.

Four minutes later, Home United doubled their lead. Peres de Oliveira met a cross from Juma'at with a pin-point header that sneaked into bottom right corner, giving the keeper no chance.

Home United were dominating the game and playing with amazing confidence, but it seemed like their final pass was lacking as many scoring opportunities went to waste. But Kengne changed that when de Oliveira was released down the left in the 23rd minute. At the edge of the penalty area, he slipped the ball to Kengne who blasted it home from 20 yards.

The Maldives side only had their first real chance of the game 31 minutes in when Home United goalkeeper Ridzuan had to be on his toes to tip over a cross that was sneaking in. Nkemi (Valencia, #12) was left unmarked following the corner but he sent his header into the ground, allowing the chance to slip.

Juma'at made it 4-0 before half-time when he had the easiest of task to tap in the ball at the far post following de Oliveira's good work on the right.

Valencia came back with a vengeance in the second half as they attempted to reduce the deficit. Forward Shiyam was denied by Shahril Alias as his shot lacked paced and the Home United defender was able to clear off his line.

But Valencia was not to be denied when Nkemi tapped the ball home after receiving a pass from Yameen Ibrahim (Valencia, #11). Yameen then got a chance of his own, but with the goal at his mercy, he blasted the ball over.

That, however, ended Valencia's hope of a comeback as Home United rallied to score another one 12 minutes from time. Kengne sealed the victory for Home United after heading home a corner.

Home United coach PN Sivaji felt the match was comfortable for his side.

“Yes, it was comfortable for us. We scored early, which is something that we haven’t done before. There wasn’t any fear once we scored and we were playing with more confidence. At half-time, we made changes (brought on Jiayi) with one eye on the next game against the Super Reds.”

“The match against the Vietnam side will be a tough match as it is away, and so the decider might be our last match against the Thai side here.”