September 16, 2004

AFC Cup 2004 Quarter-finals – First Leg

Lebanon league side Olympic Beirut failed to hold on to a 3-1 lead as Singapore’s Home United salvaged a crucial 3-3 away draw in the first leg of their quarter-final first leg clash with a great fightback in the last 10 minutes of the match.

The Protectors would have enjoyed an even better result if Olympic Beirut goalkeeper Ahmed Al Saker had not saved his side in the dying minutes of the game from an Indra Sahdan shot.

Olympic Beirut dominated the match early on & opened the scoring when Mohammed Atwi scored for the Lebanese side after 18 minutes. However, their joy lasted for only 10 minutes as Home United leveled the scores through Indra Sahdan who took advantage of a defensive error to equalize. Shocked by the Protectors, Olympic Beirut lost their way for a while but quickly regained control of the game & went back in front for the second time through midfielder Krekor Alozian 5 minutes before the break. The hosts then looked to have sewn up the points when Feisal Antar made it 3-1 with a powerful strike from the edge of the area on the hour.

However, the match slipped away from Olympic Beirut as the game approached its closing stages. Home United pushed forward as they sought to reduce the deficit & they were duly rewarded 10 minute from the end when Indra scored his second goal, heading home a cross from Egmar Goncalves. Unlike the first half when the Protectors allowed Olympic Beirut to regain the initiatives, the Protectors continued their dominance throughout the rest of the match & scored a third goal just 4 minutes later goals after a defensive error allowed Egmar Goncalves the opportunity to fire a powerful strike past the goalkeeper Ahmed Al Saker.

Indra was Home United’s best player & the Singapore international striker Indra could have completed his hat-trick in the first minute of added time as Al Saker was called upon to save his side from a potentially devastating defeat.

Although they may not have picked up the win, the draw could provide Home United with a good advantage for the second leg to be played  at the Bishan Stadium in Singapore