THIRD S-LEAGUE CROWN IN A ROW FOR SAFFC

The Choa Chu Kang-based outfit had earlier won the S-League crown in 1997, 1998, 2000, 2002, 2006 and 2007 and where their win was the first time ever a club had made it three in a row.

A solitary strike from Ahmad Latiff Khamarudin made all the difference on the night as the Warriors head into the final game of the season with an unassailable lead over nearest rivals, the Super Reds.

SAFFC now have 76 points to be followed by the Super Reds on 72 points and Home United with 69 points.

The game was evenly balanced up to the break and where it took only just the one goal to allow SAFFC to erupt in a chorus of celebration.

In the 56th minute Ahmad Latiff, who joined SAFFC in mid-season, dashed the hopes of Home United from stealing a win when he made good on a rebounder off an earlier attempt from Therdsak Chaiman to give the Warriors the lead.

But Home United really had themselves to blame for the loss where despite being awarded a penalty later in the second half, Perez de Oliveira’s lame attempt failed to give them the equaliser.

CURRENT S-LEAGUE STANDINGS (after 32 matches)

1. SAFFC 76pts (+51)

2. Super Reds 72pts (+34)

3. Home United 69pts (+39)

4. Tampines Rovers 65pts (+31)

5. Gombak United 51pts (+8)

6. Geylang United 45pts (=)

7. Albirex Niigata (S) 41pts (-11)

8. Woodlands Wellington 35pts (-16)

9. Young Lions 31pts (-16)

10. Dalian Shide Siwu 22pts (-49)

11. Balestier Khalsa 17pts (-29)

12. Sengkang Punggol 16pts (-42)