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SINGAPORE - A stunning goal by Yasir Hanapi was the only bright spot for 10-man Home United as they were held 1-1 by unfancied Courts Young Lions at the Jalan Besar Stadium last night.

The result took the title-chasing Protectors (in blue) up to second in the Great Eastern-Yeo's S.League table.

But they are still five points adrift of leaders Brunei DPMM, who have a game in hand.

Much was expected of the Bishan giants, who beat the in-form Warriors FC 4-1 last Friday in impressive fashion.

But, even before Home captain Noh Rahman was sent off in the 53rd minute after picking up two yellow cards, the team struggled to carve out chances against the Young Lions.

Protectors coach Lee Lim Saeng was disappointed by the referee's decision to send Noh off, and felt the match was a missed opportunity for his team.

"We should have beaten them tonight, but it's not easy to play 11 players with just 10," said the glum coach, after the game.

"The Young Lions showed a good mentality tonight, and athletically, they were better than us.

"We had chances in the second half but missed them. It's difficult to blame our players but we have to learn."

Lee, however, reserved some praise for goalscorer Yasir.

"He saved the team tonight. He's not just good technically, but he also covers his teammates, scores goals and can play many positions. "I love it, and I respect him a lot."

Aide Iskandar's Young Lions started the game brightly and got a deserved goal after just 15 minutes, when Shamil Sharif steered the ball home from close range.

Home, who boast the second-best attack in the S.League with 24 goals in 10 games before last night, could not find any fluency up front.

But Yasir produced a moment of brilliance in the 44th minute, picking up a half-cleared corner kick outside the box and volleying a fierce shot beyond the despairing dive of goalkeeper Syazwan Buhari.

But the Protectors were dealt a blow when skipper Noh, who was making his first start of the season, picked up a second booking just eight minutes after the break for a foul on Stanely Ng.

Former national skipper Aide, whose top scorer Sahil Suhaimi missed last night's game through suspension, was delighted with the performance.

He said: "I'm glad the boys continued their good form after the last match (3-0 win over Hougang).

"We tried, even when Home had 11 players, to get the second goal but we were let down by poor finishing and a lack of composure.

"We didn't let them (Home) play tonight because they have players like Lee (Kwan Woo), Qiu Li and Indra who can kill you if you give them time and space.

"The players showed a lot of maturity and it's a good sign."

In last night's other match, cellar dwellers Harimau Muda collected their first win of the season with a 1-0 triumph over Woodlands Wellington.

Young Lions: Syazwan Buhari, Fadli Kamis (Muhaimin Suhaimi 79), M Anumanthan, Delwinder Singh, Al-Qaasimy Rahman, Amirul Adli, Shamil Sharif (Ammirul Emmran 89), Jordan Webb, Iqbal Hussain, Sherif El-Masri, Stanely Ng (Shameer Aziq 73)

Home United: Shahril Jantan, Juma'at Jantan (Precious Emuejeraye 63), Noh Rahman, Kwon Da Kyung, Sirina Camara, Bruno Castanheira, Yasir Hanapi, Lee Kwan Woo (Izzdin Shafiq 70), Qiu Li (Ahmed Fahmie 84), Indra Sahdan, Fazrul Nawaz

Man of the Match: Yasir Hanapi

This article was published on May 8 in The New Paper.

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