February 7, 2004
Home United won the 2003 S-League title by a 14-point margin as well as the Singapore Cup to achieve the Double & with their successful side still intact this season, the Protectors have been tipped to retain the S-League title as well as the inaugural AFC Cup.
Still there is nothing coach Steve Darby would like then to shed the "favourites" tag that is hanging over Home United in the S-league & AFC Cup.
He stated he had only limited knowledge about their opponents in the AFC Cup & the facts they are champions in their own rights mean they could not be underestimated. In the S-league, other teams have strengthen themselves & the fact Home United are champion mean every teams will want to defeat them.
However he felt Home United should be in the quarter-final of the AFC Cup with the club aiming for a minimum of 10 points in the group. Also retaining the S-league title would be equally important.