October 27, 2004

AFC Cup 2004 Semi-finals – Second Leg

In the end Home united could not achieved either of their goal in winning or overcoming the scoreline as 10-men Protectors fall to Al Jaish 1-2 in Bishan

The final result was a harsh one for the Protectors, who completely dominated the match &could well have leveled the aggregate score if they had taken their chances more efficiently. Home United coach Steve Darby had said that his side would ‘go for it’ & they did just that as they threatened to overwhelm their opponents in the opening half. Chances after chances came their way but they just could not convert them before finally A Siva Kumar struck Keeper stopped an attempt by Indra, only for the loose ball to fall to Siva Kumar, who tucked the ball into the Al Jaish net. It was the first goal Al Jaish conceded in the competition after shutting oppositions for the last 7 games.

A reason for the Protectors dominance was Egmar Goncalves the tactics of putting him in midfield as the Singapore ex-international won everything there allowing Home United to take complete control in midfield. In a shocking & disgusting attempt to stop that a Syrian player had struck his elbow to Egmar body when the player back was facing him. Despite using such underhand way the Syrian stayed on the pitch getting a yellow when a red is more appropriate. Egmar had to go off with apparent rib injury 9 minutes before half time & with that Home United dominance of midfield.

Despit Home united still created chances in the second half but could not finished them off & it came back to haunt them as having withstood intense pressure Al Jaish took advantage to restore their four-goal cushion with Zeino heading home Raghdan Al Shhadeh’s cross from the right. Then the killer blow as Home United were then reduced to 10 men when skipper S.Subramani was dismissed for bringing down Shaabou as he broke clear on goal. The Al Jaish striker would heap further punishment on the Singaporeans deep into injury time when he found himself all alone in front of goal and easily beat Lewis to secure the win for the Syrians.