Home United travel to Myanmar to open their AFC Cup Group F campaign against National League champions Yadanarbon on Wednesday. The Protectors have returned to Asia's second-tier club competition after a two year's absence and this will be their eighth appearance as well.
The S.League giants earned their berth in the group stages after finishing fourth in the league last year and winning their two-legged qualifier against Cambodia's Phnom Penh Crown 7-3 on aggregate.
Coach Aidil Sharin should be happy with the way the new-signings have performed so far. The likes of Adam Swandi and former Hougang United striker Stipe Plazibat played a crucial role by scoring a goal each in their second-leg win over Phnom. The team though will be missing midfielder Chris van Huizen due to injury.
Sharin reportedly said that his men have it in them to make it past the group stages of the tournament and that they will settle for nothing less than three points on Wednesday to make it easier in the return leg against a tough Yadanarbon side.
The Myanmar giants were booted out of AFC Champions League after qualifying phase two loss to Thailand giants Sukhothai but they have been unbeaten in the league stages so far with three wins from six games.
Yadanarbon will be hoping to carry their league form into the group-opener and they have the right mix of experience and youth to deliver at this level. With a sea of fans expected to cheer the home team, the Singapore representatives have to be at their best if they are to make a mark in the campaign-opening match.
TV Schedule
Singapore: Fox Sports 2
Thailand: Fox Sports 2
Malaysia: Fox Sports 2
Myanmar: Fox Sports 2
Team News
Yadanarbon
Possible XI: Aung Lin; Nyakwe, Than Win, Myo Aung, Shine; Paing, Aung Si, Ye Ko Oo, Naing Soe, Aung Thu; Yint Tun
Home
Possible XI: Sunny; Jantan, Camara, Ramli, Sharif; Song, Asraf, Shafiq, Fandi, Plazibat, Swandi
