By Song Sung Hai

This year’s previous result

HUFC 4-0 TPUFC

The S.League returns to Queenstown Stadium after a brilliant run of the Starhub League Cup which had brought much joy to the Jaguars after the lads charged to the final but only to lose 2-0 to DPMM FC in the final in a game which the Jaguars will find no shame in defeat.

Home United will come now to Queenstown Stadium with themselves rather embroiled in a wee bit of controversy over the past two weeks. Coach Lee Lim Saeng was rumoured to have left the club but apparently the club has refuted that. On top of that, there is still the saga of Sevki Shaaban’s sudden sacking by the club which got the community talking about the plight of footballers plying their trade in the S.League.

Nonetheless, the Jaguars have shown a marked improvement over the past month, with the team finding themselves free of any injuries. The League Cup run will have shown everyone what the Jaguars had missed since the start of the season.

Although sitting tenth on the table right now, the Jaguars are eager to finish the season on a high and push up the table. Victory over the Protectors here tonight will allow the Jaguars to move up by at least two notches and the lads will be aware of that.

Two players will be missing tonight’s game due to suspension; Hanafi Salleh, who impressed in the League Cup, and Ruzaini Zainal, another player who can make a difference on his day. Otherwise, Head Coach Patrick Vallée will have the flexibility to keep everyone guessing as who will start the game.

Captain Ahmad Latiff has impressed as a forward in the League Cup, adding an extra dimension upfront partnered with the classy Monsef Zerka and it remains to be seen if Patrick will stick to his League Cup formulae. Firdaus Idros also came of age in the scoring department, scoring five goals in all, including the solitary goal against Warriors FC in the quarter-final and that has given Firdaus added confidence upfront.

We will find out later if Lee Lim Saeng will lead the Protectors but Lee has not lost to Patrick Vallée yet and Home United is dangerous on their day.

They will count on the likes of Sirina Camara, Indra Sahdan and Lee Kwan Woo to set the path to victory and these are players who will need all the attention they can get from the Jaguars.

Last time out at Bishan Stadium, an injury-hit Jaguars side succumbed 4-0 to the Protectors in a game which flattered the scoreline. Queenstown Stadium has been a fort of sorts in the League Cup and the Jaguars will want to show everyone that with the quality of players they have, the top half of the table is where they actually belong.

See you there!