Great Eastern-Yeo's S-League 2009

Home United v Young Lions

Clementi Stadium, Saturday 7.45pm

ISA HALIM took over the captain's armband at the Young Lions when predecessor Khairul Amri joined Tampines Rovers a year ago, and the 23-year-old has flourished in leading the side.

But he has no regrets leaving the club, which forms the bulk of Singapore's under-23 national side, when the Singapore international joined Home United on April 24.

This Saturday, he faces his former team-mates for the first time when Terry Pathmanathan's boys travel to Home's Clementi Stadium for a Great Eastern-Yeo's S-League 2009 clash.

After 16 games, Home are currently sixth in the S-League standings with 22 points, double the tally of the Young Lions who are languishing in 11th place in the 12-team league.

"Their league standing doesn't show it, but they're clearly improving with every game," Isa said of the club that groomed him. "When they start to gel, they'll get better for sure.

"I spent four years at Young Lions and learnt a lot in my time there. I still have a soft spot for the club.

"I know everyone there, including those in management. While captaining the Young Lions, I had to be a leader and guide the younger ones.

"But there's a better learning environment here at Home, and the more seasoned players like S Subramani are really helping and guiding me."

Isa wants a shot at Gerrard

Isa has been deployed by Home head coach P N Sivaji as a right full-back, rather than in his favoured central midfield position, but he's not complaining.

"What is important is for me to have playing time, especially here in a club where I really have to fight hard for my place," he said. "But I still have an eye on that central midfield spot."

And he's hoping he'll be fielded in that position by national coach Radojko Avramovic, when the Lions take on Liverpool in a July 26 friendly at the National Stadium.

"It'll be great if I can come face-to-face with Steven Gerrard and get to tackle him," said Isa.

"But the first thing is to get a call up for that game, and that means I have to do well as Home's right-back. And that's all I'll be thinking about against the Young Lions."

Friday's result

Albirex Niigata 1 SAFFC 3

Upcoming fixtures

Sunday: Geylang United v Balestier Khalsa

Monday: Sengkang Punggol v DPMM

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