Competition: Tampines Rovers FC vs Home United FC
Date & Time: 29 April 2005 7:00:00 PM
Venue: Tampines
Muratovic return to tip clash of the titans?
Without him, Tampines Rovers still set the pace for much of the first round. So how much more can the defending champions do now that they have their best defender Sead Muratovic back?
Potentially, a lot. Although the Stags have been churning out results in his absence, his command of the defence and thunderous freekicks have been sorely missed.
Not surprisingly, coach Vorawan Chitavanich has said that the 26-year-old will be pencilled into the first-team after finally passing his Beep test.
Muratovic, the stylish Serb, has also been fitter, shedding several kilogrammes in his attempts to meet the mandatory Beep test mark of 12-6.
So, theoretically, just imagine Muratovic, that composed figure in defence but faster and fitter than circa 2004's and possibly even the previous years'.
With him back, last seasonÂ’s Young Player of the Year Mustafic Fahrudin can be moved up to augment the midfield.
It is another option that Vorawan will welcome with open arms. For he has been bothered with opponents starting to pack their defence against his side.
He said: “This season, when teams play against Tampines, they tend to be more defensive. They are giving us much less space and are definitely more cautious.
“We are playing with more confidence, but this confidence is a double-edged sword. On the other hand, we must not be over-confident and underestimate weaker opponents.”
As such, Vorawan paid the respect reserved for a worthy opponent. He said: “Home is a very strong team with a lot of experienced players. Although we have beaten them at home last season, they are always very difficult to play against.”
Home will continue to play without Thai international Sutee Susomkit, who is expected to be out for another month due to a reported ankle injury.
His absence has given ex-international Azhar Baksin the chance to reinstate his place.
Last week, Azhar gave one of his best performances since returning from a double knee operation against Woodlands Wellington and was bestowed the S-League.com Man-of-the-Match award in that 4-0 win.
While the Rams were ripped apart by the Protectors with relative ease, expect the Stags to put up a much more resilient defence. With a partisan home crowd behind them, Vorawan expects a good performance from the Stags. He said: “I am confident of at least a draw.”
Last season, Home United chased Tampines all the way until the Stags finally sealed their historic first-ever league title. In this very fixture last term, Tampines defeated the Protectors 2-1 in a high tempo match, en route to winning the title. In retrospect, that victory must have been one of the StagsÂ’ most crucial.
This season, both teams had experienced somewhat different fortunes.
The Stags picked up from where they left off last season and charged ahead in the standings early on with five wins in their first six games. The hiccup at Toa Payoh Stadium last week had been the only botch in TampinesÂ’ otherwise near-perfect domestic season.
On the other hand, the boys from Bishan had only found their winning touch recently. However, with two straight domestic victories, the Protectors are beginning to erase memories of their jittery start and propelled themselves straight back into the race to the title.
Tampines will return to top spot with just a point. Will it happen? We're not so sure.
What we're more certain of: Somewhere in Bishan, Steve Darby is shaking his head at his monitor as he reads this.