Albirex on course for another clean sweep
Home United's mission to hand Albirex Niigata their first defeat of the season came undone as the Protectors lost 1-0 in the second leg of their RHB Singapore Cup semi-final at the Bishan Stadium last night.
Albirex, who were unbeaten in winning the Singapore Premier League, progressed to the Cup final 4-2 on aggregate.
The Protectors ploughed forward relentlessly last night, but could not find a way past Albirex goalkeeper Yohsuke Nozawa.
They started the game confidently, with Song Ui Young lashing a shot from a distance in the fifth minute, but Nozawa was quick to get a hand on it, sending it just wide of the post.
The Japanese veteran continued to make a string of excellent saves to deny the home side.
In the 63rd minute, Home were undone by Kenya Takahashi's sublime free-kick that found the top left corner of the net, helping the White Swans secure their place in Saturday's final.
They will meet Brunei DPMM, who drew 2-2 with Balestier Khalsa last night to win their semi-final 4-2 on aggregate.
Home coach Aidil Sharin remained proud of his charges but also gave credit to Nozawa, saying: "He's one of the best (goalkeepers) in the league... but the team showed that we can match up to them."
Albirex coach Kazuaki Yoshinaga lauded his players for winning their third match in eight days.
He said: "We can see that the players were tired. It was a difficult game and the players showed their mental strength to win it. We have one more game and I want them to give their best to win it."- KIMBERLY KWEK
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