Home United strike late to thwart Geylang in S.League

Home United geared up for next week's Singapore Cup semifinals against Albirex Niigata (S) with a 3-1 victory over in-form Geylang International at Jalan Besar Stadium on Saturday night.

Goals from Adam Swandi, Stipe Plazibat and Shamil Sharif rendered Shawal Anuar's goal for Geylang immaterial, as the Protectors closed to within four points of second-placed Tampines Rovers with two games in hand.

After a tepid first 45 minutes, the second half burst into life with Adam firing home into the bottom right corner after Faris' shot was blocked.

That was the 21-year-old's second goal in as many games as Aidil Sharin's men took the initiative.

Geylang went close to equalising thereafter, but Victor Coto was unable to finish off on two occasions.

The Costa Rican's header from Faritz Hameed's header was clawed out by Hassan Sunny, before some more aerial contact from Safirul Sulaiman's cross went straight to the Home custodian.

The Eagles would pay for their profligacy as Home would double their lead on 86 minutes.

After centre-back Anders Aplin was caught in possession, Faris crossed for Plazibat to slot past a helpless Syazwan Buhari in the Geylang goal.

Noor Ali's side would pull one back in the 89th minute, with Shawal showing composure to convert from six yards out for his fourth goal in as many games.

However, the Protectors would seal victory a minute later.

After seeing his initial shot from Plazibat's cross parried by Syazwan, Shamil followed up to bury home the rebound.

Home will face Albirex away at Jurong East next Wednesday, before hosting the White Swans three days later as they look to reach the Singapore Cup final.

In Saturday night's other game, struggling Brunei DPMM picked up their second win of the season, winning 2-1 away at Hougang United to exact revenge for a 4-1 loss at home four days earlier.

Geylang International: Syazwan Buhari (GK), Faritz Hameed, Anders Aplin, Yuki Ichikawa, Darren Teh, Shawal Anuar, Isa Halim (C) (Asshukrie Wahid 76'), Ricardo Sendra, Gabriel Quak (Safirul Sulaiman 58'), Shahfiq Ghani (Amy Recha 58'), Victor Coto

Home United: Hassan Sunny (GK, C), Juma'at Jantan, Abdil Qaiyyim, Irfan Fandi, Sufianto Salleh, Amiruldin Asraf (Shamil Sharif 46'), Hariss Harun, Izzdin Shafiq (Aqhari Abdullah 81'), Adam Swandi (Haziq Azman 90'), Faris Ramli, Stipe Plazibat