HOME UNITED HAND ALBIREX SECOND LOSS

SINGAPORE (28 March 2012) – Home United handed Albirex Niigata their second loss of the season as the former champions jumped to the head of the queue in the S-League 2012 following their 4-2 win at the Bishan Stadium.

Albirex, who had fallen to a 2-1 loss to DPMM FC earlier, seemed to be out of synch despite taking the early lead through Sho Kamimura in the third minute. An efficient Home side clocked in two goals in each half through Federic Mendy (22^nd and 65^th minute), Shotaro Thata (29^th minute) and Qiu Li’s penalty in the 63^rd minute for the win even though Sho did knock in his and Albirex’s second in the 66^th minute.

With the win, Home United are placed at the top of the table with 12 points from six matches – having played a game more than second-placed Harimau Muda (11 points) and third-placed DPMM FC (also on 11 points).

In the meantime, Malaysia’s Harimau Muda side picked up the full points in their last match in an unbeaten three game run when they sidestepped Courts Young Lions 3-1 at their home base of the Yishun Stadium.

It was to the visitors who took the lead in the 16^th minute when Jonathan Toto slammed home from close range. But the side led by Ong Kim Swee was quick to bounce back in the second half for Nazmi Faiz (49^th and 81^st minute) and Ahmad Hazwan (75^th) to score for the full points.

CURRENT S-LEAGUE 2012 STANDINGS

No	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Home United	6	3	3	0	17	8	+9	12
2	Harimau Muda	5	3	2	0	9	2	+7	11
3	Brunei DPMM	5	3	2	0	11	6	+5	11
4	Balestier Khalsa	6	3	2	1	6	4	+2	11
5	Albirex Niigata (S)	6	3	1	2	11	9	+2	10
6	Tampines Rovers	5	2	2	1	9	5	+4	8
7	Hougang United	6	2	2	2	8	5	+3	8
8	Singapore Armed Forces	5	2	1	2	13	12	+1	7
9	Woodlands Wellington	6	2	1	3	4	8	−4	7
10	Gombak United	5	1	3	1	5	4	+1	6
11	Geylang United	5	1	0	4	6	18	−12	3
12	Tanjong Pagar United	6	0	1	5	4	16	−12	1
13	Young Lions	4	0	0	4	4	11	−7	0