October 25, 2004

Home United coach Steve Darby admits that his side have little realistic hope of reaching the AFC Cup final after last week’s 4-0 hammering by Syria’s Al Jaish but the Englishman says that his side will still ‘give it a go’ in the return match.

To achieve that, attack right from the kick-off will be Home United's mantra against Syria's Al-Jaish in the AFC Cup second-leg semi-final but it will be tough for the semi-final second leg tie will be Home United’s 43^rd match of an arduous 2004 season even if they are likely to finish empty-handed after challenging for honours on 3 fronts in the S-League, Singapore Cup and AFC Cup.

Fatigue may have played a part for his players collapse at Damascus after 9 months of non-stop football but Darby is not giving any excuses.

The Englishman said he cannot complain because it was purely a case of us being beaten by a better side. They played a hard but fair game against us & the conditions were ideal for good football. They are probably the best side that we have faced. They hammered us but that is just something that happens in football. We were just outclassed

Still he is hoping that his side can go out with a bang & avenge the defeat with a victory against the Syrian side.

But he had already acknowledged it as a near-impossible task & saying Home United have no chance for a 5-0 win in the return leg in an interview after the match last week which drew some criticism.

Darby sought to clarify his stance saying it is rubbish his team had given up for their aim is to win but as they have to gamble with an all-out attack to score 1 or 2 early goals, Al Jaish will be expected to sit back & try to hit on the break so it will be tough for that result.

Indeed it will not be easy though as Al Jaish have an excellent record in the AFC Cup & have yet to concede a goal in 7 games in the competition & Home United failed last week to change that statistics.

However Costica still demanded cautious from his team & not to accept any thought they are in the final as he said Home are a strong team with a good attack, & a strong home record which cannot be ignored.