SAFFC ESCAPE WITH A POINT; HOME UNITED EDGE ALBIREX

SINGAPORE (6 Feb 2010) – Defending S-League champions Singapore Armed Forces FC (SAFFC) were held to a 1-1 draw by Geylang as Home United carved a 2-1 win over Albirex Niigata FC in their first game of the season at the Jurong East Stadium.

SAFFC, who had beaten Indonesia’s Sriwijaya FC 3-0 in the AFC Champions League qualifying round last week, were lucky to escape with the one point when they fell to a Syed Fadhil’s strike in the 44th minute.

But a penalty conversion from Indra Sahdan Daud (pix) in the 59th minute allowed SAFFC to draw the game and pick up their first point of the season.

In the meantime, Home United had a late winner from Shahril Ishak to thank for their first win when they edged Albirex Niigata 2-1.

Defender Juma’at Jantan had given Home United the lead in the 68th minute with a well-taken volley from 30metres out.

But Ken Matsumura then equalized for the visitors in the 83rd minute to put the score at 1-1 – until the winner from Shahril.