Late Shahril brace rescues 10-man Warriors FC vs. Home United

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:44 am

Warriors FC v Home United in S.League
Warriors FC v Home United in S.League
S.League

Singapore national captain Shahril Ishak scored twice in the last nine minutes to rescue a 2-2 S.League draw for Warriors FC against Home United at Choa Chu Kang Stadium on Saturday night.

Goals in each half from Stipe Plazibat, plus a red card to Warriors' Hafiz Osman, looked to have sealed the game for Home, before Shahril stole the headlines late on.

In their last home game two weeks ago, the Warriors scored three times in the last eight minutes to pull off a 4-3 comeback win against Garena Young Lions.

And three weeks ago, Home also let a two-goal lead slip against a fast-finishing Albirex Niigata (S).

But they got off to a flyer by scoring the opener inside six minutes after Plazibat was fell by Warriors goalkeeper Hyrulnizam Juma'at in the area.

The Croatian forward sent the custodian the wrong way from the spot after his first penalty attempt was ruled out for an infringement.

The Protectors almost doubled their lead two minutes later, with Adam Swandi connecting well with Shamil Sharif's cross, but the header was tipped over by Hyrulnizam.

Warriors gradually settled into the game, creating two great opportunities that Joel Tshibamba was unable to convert.

The Dutch-Congolese forward was first denied by a superb last-ditch tackle by Afiq Yunos in the six-yard box before he headed wide from Hafiz Nor's corner.

The pendulum swung back Home's way, but they were unable to find a second goal before half-time.

First, Plazibat's dink over Hyrulnizam was hacked off the line by Ridhuan. Then Adam shot straight at Hyrulnizam after being teed up by Plazibat.

Stand-in Home captain Song Uiyoung also saw his shot from the edge of the box parried by Hyrulnizam.

Aidil Sharin's side did double their advantage four minutes into the second half. Plazibat got onto the end of a long ball before firing home an unerring finish from just inside the area for his 16th goal in just 11 games in all competitions.

Home had further chances to add a third to seal the match. But Khairul Nizam's goal-bound shot was cleared off the line by Ho Wai Loon before Plazibat somehow fired wide with just Hyrulnizam to beat.

It looked the game was all over for the Warriors when Hafiz O was given a straight red for a rash challenge on Christopher van Huizen on 70 minutes.

However, the now 10-man Warriors got their act together to pull off a miraculous comeback.

On 81 minutes, Shahril slotted home from the spot after being fell by Afiq.

And six minutes later, he rose the highest to meet substitute Fazli Jaffar's left-wing cross. Home keeper Rudy Khairullah failing to keep out the header despite getting a hand to it.

Sensing an opportunity to get a winner, Warriors coach Razif Onn deployed centre-back Baihakki Khaizan as an auxiliary forward in the dying stages.

However, Home managed to hang on as the clubs shared the spoils in a memorable game.

The result means both sides stayed unbeaten, with Warriors in second place on 14 points from six matches behind Albirex Niigata (S) on 16 points. Home are a spot behind in third with 11 points from five matches.

Warriors FC: Hyrulnizam Juma'at (GK), Ridhuan Muhammad (Syaqir Sulaiman 59'), Baihakki Khaizan (C), Hafiz Osman, Ho Wai Loon, Kento Fukuda, Firdaus Kasman, Hafiz Nor, Shahril Ishak, Jordan Webb, Joel Tshibamba (Fazli Jaffar 66')

Home United: Rudy Khairullah (GK), Shamil Sharif, Irfan Fandi, Afiq Yunos, Sirina Camara, Hariss Harun, Song Uiyoung (C), Khairul Nizam (Faris Ramli 57'), Adam Swandi, Christopher van Huizen (Amiruldin Asraf 75'), Stipe Plazibat