Heartbreak for Home in Valentine’s Day clash

SINGAPORE – Fazli Jaffar did a Danny Welbeck on Home United at the Bishan Stadium tonight (Feb 14) as he denied the Protectors three points in the clash of the uniformed groups.

Just like how Arsenal striker Welback scored a goal in injury time to hand English Premier League leaders Leicester City a 2-1 defeat, Warriors FC midfielder Fazli scored a 91st-minute goal to help his side snatch a 2-2 draw against Home.

The 1,756-strong crowd were thoroughly entertained last night as the game produced everything that a hot-blooded derby would normally have – end-to-end action, as well as six yellow cards, and a sending-off.

And alas, it was Singapore international defender Madhu Mohana who suffered the ignominy of becoming the first player in the new S.League season to be sent off. He was shown the red card by referee Mohd Farhad a minute before the end after he appeared to hit Home striker Irfan Fandi, the son of Singapore legend Fandi Ahmad.

Home will rue the two point lost as they looked the better team for the bulk of the game.

The Protectors also took the lead in the 17th minute when striker Khairul Nizam found the net after receiving a clever pass from midfielder Aqhari Abdullah.

But Warriors gave themselves a psychological boost before half-time when their French striker Jonathan Behe equalised in the 35th minute with a well-taken penalty.

Home dominated the second half but failed to make their goal-scoring chances count before defender Sirina Camara succeeded in the 82nd minute. But Fazli then broke his opponents’ hearts on Valentine’s Day with his equaliser at the death.

Home United coach Philippe Aw was left annoyed by the result. “Yes, definitely,” he said.

“It was two points robbed from us. After we took the lead, there was a period of time that we were dominating, but we didn’t manage to seal it. We could have made it 3-1. Chances were created but not finished. I am very unhappy with the way we conceded the goals.”

In contrast, Warriors coach Jorg Steinebrunner quipped: “Getting a point at the end of 90 mins – we are not too unhappy about that.”

But Aw was pleased with how the two Fandi siblings - Irfan, 18, and Ikhsan, 16, who came on in the 64th and 85th minute respectively, looked “physically strong” and said that thpe team will be grooming the two “young boys as the future of Singapore.”

In the night’s other game, the Garena Young Lions stunned Balestier Khalsa 1-0 through Fareez Farhan’s 23rd-minute goal.