HOME UNITED 3 (Kwon Dak Yung 6, Hafiz Rahim 22-pen, Sirina Camara 75)
ALBIREX NIIGATA 1 (Kazuki Sakamoto 17)
They warmed up for their RHB Singapore Cup Final with Tanjong Pagar United in the best way possible, posting a 3-1 win over Albirex Niigata in a Great Eastern-Yeo's S-League clash at the Bishan Stadium last night.
Even with marquee man Lee Kwan Woo suspended for their final league game of the season, Home United outclassed the White Swans with goals from Kwon Dak Yung, Hafiz Rahim and Sirina Camara - a screamer from 35 metres that pinged off the woodwork into the top corner.
The result means the Protectors finish the 2013 S-League campaign in second spot behind champions Tampines Rovers.
While the Home dressing room was in a buoyant mood after the game, coach Lee Lim Saeng's task will be to ensure his men don't let their high spirits bubble over, ahead of Friday's cup final.
"The players' morale is very high," said the former South Korean international.
"Even without Lee (Kwan Woo), we showed a good performance tonight and we have one more match to go.
"We are confident, but I don't want us to be over-confident."
While victory over Albirex in the battle for second spot provided a major boost for the players, Home captain Noh Rahman insisted the team would not allow their strong finish to the league campaign get to their heads.
MORALE BOOSTER
Said the experienced defender: "(The win) is big. In the last round, we've been doing well and winning all our games, so it's a morale booster for the team.
"Of course we're fired up for Friday, but we are not going into the game over-confident because we know that Tanjong Pagar deserve some respect for what they have done this season.
"They surprised a lot of teams, so we're going into the game with a lot of respect for them, but at the same time confident in our abilities."
While the team will need to make changes due to suspensions to players like Juma'at Jantan and Masrezwan Masturi, Lee wants a big performance from his side.
He said: "I wanted us to be champions this season because the club has believed in me.
"The players have shown their desire and I think we should keep this morale because our next game is very important for the club."
TNP Man of the Match: SIRINA CAMARA
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