Home United take on Garena Young Lions in the second match of the ongoing S.League season at the Bishan Stadium on Monday.
After a dramatic season-opener, which saw Albirex Niigata edging past Tampines Rovers 2-1 at the National Stadium on Sunday, it will be interesting to see the reception for the league heavyweights' opener against an U22 side. Notably, the Protectors are heading into the match after their closely-fought 1-0 defeat to Yadanarbon in their AFC Cup 2017 opener last Wednesday.
Home will want to burry their early disappointment and start the league on a high and they are indeed the favourites against the Young Lions. Aidil Sharin's men, who finished the last season at fourth, have added quite a few big names to their side and the biggest of all has been Singapore custodian Hassan Sunny's arrival from Thailand's Army United.
The Protectors were among the worst defensive sides last year, conceding 42 goals but Hassan's addition is expected to tighten things up at the back. Also, Home have secured the services of Stipe Plazibat, who finished as the highest scorer for Hougang United last season. Lions' stars Izzdin Shafiq, Afiq Yunos, Adam Swandi and Christopher van Huizen have also come on board to help their new team challenge for the title.
On the other hand, Young Lions, who will be working under V Selvaraj this season, are in for a tough opening test. They have assembled a young squad keeping in mind the 2017 SEA Games commitment and the likes of Shahrin Saberin and Amirul Adli will be hoping to make an impact in the new season.
Team News
Home
Possible XI: Sunny; Abdullah, Fandi, Camara, Jantan; Sharif, Swandi, Ui-Young, Ramli; Plazibat, Suto
Young Lions
Squad: Iskandar, Pereira, Adli, Saberin, Emmran, Shaffiq, Yeo Ngee, Suparno, Suzliman, Faruk, Sazali, Syahin, Roslan, Jeevamani, Rohaizad, Sulaiman, Suhaimi, Chan, Pashia, Hakim, Aaravin, Salmime, Illyas, Myqminin, Suhaimi M, Hakim, Aziq, Syirhan